Twas A Fine Day

Triptych: II. Memory - the world forgetting, by the world forgot. Performed by guest artists Geoffrey Burleson (piano), Pala Garcia (violin), and John Popham (cello) at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, 10th February 2023.

the world forgetting, by the world forgot

Michael Stephens, soprano saxophone
Katie Hughes, piano

2023 UNK New Music Festival - March 31st

"When love prevails, fear departs"

This work for violin, viola, cello, and piano is performed by Karen Kim, violin, Robert Meyer, viola,  Kate Dillingham, cello, and Amir Khosrowpour, piano.  

In my recent music I have become interested in storytelling in various forms. This piece tells a story—but I do not know what that story is. It is told by a character who I understand, but who is unknown to me.

While composing this work, I was listening to traditional music of the hurdy-gurdy, an ancient instrument which is also known as the vielle a roue (wheel fiddle), or simply vielle. This music, with its melismas floating over a persistent drone, moved me deeply and permeated my writing. It seemed, somehow, to belong in the mysterious story I was trying to touch.

The title of the piece is a line from a poem by the tragic Roma poet Papusza. It captures something of the essence of both this unknown narrator and her story.

That of which I speak has all, all passed away

music for living musicians and those who listen to them

Zahab entelechron duo, Roger Zahab, violin and Rob Frankenberry, piano

Christian Clark, piano
Roger Zahab, violin
Thomas Scheurich, viola

Elynor Freyss, mix and master

05 Interlude

Michael Finnissy's All the trees they are so high
for solo violin
(1977)

Recorded during a performance in the Kiln Studio at Snape Maltings on July 6, 2017.

All the trees they are so high.

In this week's podcast we meet Walt Yang, a Pitt double major in chemistry and music who will be piano soloist with the University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3.  Walt and the orchestra perform on Wednesday, October 16th at 8 p.m. in the Bellefield Hall Auditorium.

Walt Yang on Performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3

Roger Zahab, violin
entelechron hall, june 23, 2020

this was commissioned in 2005  by Dick & Ricki Schwartz and Dick & Mary King to celebrate their friends Michael & Marilyn Lapides. I asked myself what sort of music should come out of a violin in "after dinner tempo" and realized that is should be in a flowing, lyrical style with relaxing harmony that allowed the instrument to resonate. And also not too difficult to manage after dinner and drinks. rz

gus's diner | roger zahab

Roger Zahab

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