Celebration 25! (1995)
Jerry H. Casey
About this work:
This work was written to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Columbus Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. The Greek letters, Sigma Alpha Iota, represent the nineteenth, first and ninth letters of the Greek alphabet. With alpha as A on the piano keyboard, the other letters become B and E. The three notes led to the idea of a three-part work with each note becoming a tonal center
In keeping with the commemorative aspects of an anniversary I labeled the sections, “Celebrate the Present,” “Remember the Past,” and “Anticipate the Future.” By taking the three notes, flatting and sharping each one, I developed a nine-note synthetic scale which serves as the underlying framework. In the section on the past I chose five of the nine notes and in the future section is based on six of the nine notes.
The work opens with a type of fanfare. The main theme, announced by the violin and cello, is heard against a quiet ostinato pattern in the piano using the rhythm of the fanfare. The strings then take the ostinato pattern with the piano having the theme. Tremolo strings and scale passages in the piano modulate to C (B sharp) for a slower section. The main theme and tempo return.
The “Remember the Past” section, marked Molto meno mosso, begins with a series of eight quiet piano chords which continue in ostinato fashion. The cello enters with an expressivo theme which is answered by the violin.
A brief duet in harmonics by the strings leads to the piano’s fiery opening of “Anticipate the Future,” marked con fuoco. The theme is repeated pizzicato in the strings. A sudden return of the opening fanfare begins the Coda. Brief reprises of the themes of the three sections are heard, but again the fanfare interrupts. Tremolo double stops in the violin and cello against rising scales in the piano lead to a final dissonant fortissimo chord.
Year composed: 1995
Duration: 00:06:00
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Piano Trio
Instrumentation: 1 Piano, 1 Violin, 1 Cello