Canyons
Jay Vosk
About this work:
As someone who has I resided in Arizona for the past twenty-five years I found it natural to draw upon the folk music of the southwest as the inspiration for my Canyons for String Quartet.
The piece is a single movement work divided into three sections. Two outer dance-like sections are separated by a lyrical corrido. Interspersed within the spirited texture of the first section are parodies of traditional American cowboy and Mexican dance music. The second section, corrido is patterned after a traditional Mexican romantic song. This section , as well as the first section , are sprinkled with hints of Ferde Grofe(thus the reference to Canyons). The finale bravura section draws its inspiration from Mexican Mariachi.
Canyons,commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra for the Composer Residency Program was composed in 2000.
Year composed: 2000
Duration: 09:00:60
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:String Quartet
Instrumentation: