Sad and Ancient Phrases
Dan Coleman
About this work:
"Sad and Ancient Phrases" was commissioned in 1997 by Jean-Paul Bierny and Chris Tanz, and is dedicated to Jennifer Frautschi and Pedja Muzijevic. I composed the piece at my (former) home in New York City, and also at the MacDowell Colony during the spring of 1999. Both Jennifer Frautschi and Pedja Muzijevic have played other works of mine for this combination of instruments. Jennifer performed my Sonata notturna (1997) with pianist Benjamin Loeb at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC. Pedja premiered a short work called The Only Dance There Is (1995) at Merkin Hall in NYC with violinist Steven Copes. This new work is my fourth extended essay for violin and piano, and lasts about twelve minutes in a single movement. Constructed in an ABA form, the middle section of the piece is based on a song I composed in 1995 to the words of a poem by Rachel Wetzsteon. The song, "Dissolving Views," is a sardonic take on unrequited love. As in Schubert's reworking of his own songs into violin music, a programmatic element can be construed, but it isn't necessary to understanding or enjoying the piece. The title "Sad and Ancient Phrases" is meant to convey simply the wistful, nostalgic music which appears along with more direct and contemporary sounds and gestures.
Version: 1999
Year composed: 1999
Duration: 00:12:00
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Other Combinations, 2-5 players
Instrumentation: 1 Piano, 1 Violin
Instrumentation notes: Violin and Piano