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DuetTino for Violin and Cello (2024)

6 minutes

I. Children’s Song
II. Chorale and Counterpoint

The Duettino for Violin and Cello is an intimate expression of Yiddish art, showing its influence even on a subconscious (or unconscious!) level. The two movements are both based on dreams and are written programmatically as condensed opera scenes. The first movement קינדערליד/Kinderlid/Children’s Song takes the form of a fantasy with a melody based on a field recording of a Yiddish children’s folk song originating from Eastern Europe. The Chorale and Counterpoint - Hora/האָרע - Hin und zurück (“back-and-forth”) is a three-part narrative form, starting with elements of the folksong juxtaposed with a violent chorale to be extracted into frantic counterpoint exercises; finally, exploding into a climatic Hora, the material is then repeated in reverse to depict the act of waking up.

This adaptation of two movements from Duet for Violin and Viola was commissioned by Music Street for their February 23rd, 2025 concert at Bernis Hall in Lincoln, MA. The original work was commissioned by Sunset ChamberFest.

Performance scores are available upon request. Please fill out the contact form here.

March 16, 2025 | West Tisbury Library, Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Music Street.
February 23, 2025 | Bernis Hall, Lincoln, MA. Music Street.