Together in Solitude (2022) for guitar, violin, and cello

Bonham Geller, guitar
Matilda Goldie, violin
Julian Naimon, cello

Together in Solitude was created in partnership with Zara Rose Brown through the Interlochen Arts Academy Choreographers & Composers Collaboration.

Thank you so much to Zara for being such a wonderful collaborator through the process of creating this piece, and to the musicians and the dancers for such an amazing performance! Huge thanks also to Dr. Cynthia Van Maanen for her guidance and support.

This recording is from a performance of Together in Solitude which took place on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at the Interlochen Arts Academy Composers Forum in Interlochen, MI.

Website: https://www.jonahcohenmusic.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jonahcohen4799
Instagram: @jonahcohen.music

For inquiries about this piece, please contact me at through my website: https://www.jonahcohenmusic.com/contact

Copyright Jonah Cohen 2022.

Together in Solitude

ComposerJim.com
(demo - computerized playback)
Program Notes:
In late 2022, I was approached by Tom Riccobono to compose a new work for the adults who performed as part of the Interlochen College of Creative Arts, and to be premiered the following August. We discussed many ideas, mostly surrounding an exciting 5-8 minute work. At some point during the conversation, I mentioned that I really preferred digging into larger scale works. Tom also seemed excited by that concept, and before we knew it, the idea became a reality, and my Symphony No. 4 was to be born.
There was just one caveat: I told Tom to be patient with me, as I wouldn't even be able to begin working on such a piece until the
summer of 2023, and would have to deliver it just a month before the premiere. Never one to back down, Tom agreed, and the project was in my hands to deliver.
Anything created for Interlochen takes on special meaning for me.
I was a camper there first at the age of 10, and then attended three years of high school, and then even two summers teaching scattered in as well. I've written several works for various occasions there as well. So, to put it mildly, Interlochen has been a huge part of my life.
In writing this piece, I reflected back upon my earliest memories of attending camp.
I recall showing up for one of my first orchestra rehearsals, and Gliere's "Russian Sailors Dance" being put on our stands, and then us little bunch of 10 year-olds eagerly clawing our way through this unknown music. I remember loving my trumpet part, and thinking to myself: "This piece rocks!". I was hooked, and have never looked back.
Away from the music part, I also clearly remember showing up in my cabin, the very first day - not at all knowing anyone - and fellow camper Hank Hauke asking me if I wanted to play tennis. I quickly abandoned my parents to do the unpacking, and I ran to the courts. Again, I was hooked.
Therefore, in starting this piece, I wanted to capture that excitement: that eagerness (featuring trumpets, of course), and the mystery
and youthful anticipation of a new world being discovered. The first movement's opening melody is childlike and mischievous (like I was), with an unending drive from beginning to end.
The 2nd movement shows more of the reverence that grew within me for the place I continued to return to. It uses a recurring theme, growing and growing, with sustained anticipation of something wonderful happening. It is also distinctly American sounding.
The 3rd movement scherzo is simply nothing but fun.
The 4th movement is where we return to the Gliere inspiration of my 10 year-old self. I decided to copy his idea of a Theme and Variations though mine uses an original, almost funereal theme (no metaphor intended), where each variation gets just a bit more and more exciting, until we finally "rock out", with themes and variations all occurring simultaneously in large fashion.
One thing to be noted: upon doing research AFTER I finished my work, I discovered that Gliere and I both used the same amount - 12 -
of variations on our themes. It's almost as if Interlochen is still working its magic...
Thank you so much to Tom Riccobono for joining me in this adventure. Thank you to Interlochen for assisting in its coming to fruition. And thank you ever so much to the donor - also a trumpet player! - who supporting the creation of this work, of which I am very proud.

Symphony 4 -- IV. Theme and Variations

Symphony 4 -- III. Scherzo

Symphony 4 -- II. Adagietto

Symphony 4 -- I. Allegro Tempestuoso

A talented 12-year-old cellist performs The Swan by Saint-Saëns, a flutist with a passion for marine biology plays a dreamy Fantasie by Hüe, and the winner of Interlochen Arts Academy’s Concerto Competition performs a difficult but rewarding work by Ysaÿe. We meet a violist with a love for Formula One racing who gives an evocative performance of Schumann. Finally, we hear a conversation between a teen clarinetist and his mentor, the principal clarinetist of the Minnesota Orchestra, who share much in common including leaving their homes in Costa Rica to study at Interlochen Arts Academy.

Show 443 - The Swan & More from Michigan - Full Show

https://composerjim.com/product/stalwart-hands/

In 2013, I was asked by Bruce Galbraith to write a work in memory of Roger and Mary Jane Jacobi. Bruce had been my director when I attended the Interlochen Arts Academy, and Roger & Mary Jane president and “first lady” of Interlochen almost my entire time there. Roger was a trumpet player, and Mary Jane a pianist, so the piece had to be, of course, for trumpet and piano. Furthermore, they had moved to Naples when they retired, and I got to speak with them (mostly about trumpet!) on many occasions during my time in the orchestra there.
When asked what about them inspired me in writing the piece, I responded as follows: I decided to echo much of what the Jacobis and Interlochen represented for me: Stalwart Hands:
a. symbolizing what strength the Jacobis had in running Interlochen
b. the annual hand-shakes at the Maddy cabin (which is how I first met them)
c. hands very much needed to play both piano and trumpet!
Musical references to both “O Sound the Call” and “Call to Quarters” – bugle calls always played at Interlochen – (and a subtle taps) symbolizing that we are now, in essence, with this memorial, calling them to their resting place in our memories at Interlochen. Plus, I ALWAYS had to play “Call to Quarters” and “Taps”! Equal parts for both players symbolizing how they both were equal and very important figures at Interlochen.
It was always Roger & Mary Jane.

in memoriam...

Stalwart Hands

LTP Michigan host David Boylan is joined this week by Whitney Waara, chief operating officer of Traverse City Tourism whose Traverse City Food & Wine Festival is happening August 20-24. They cover all the fabulous events happening at TC Food & Wine plus Whitney shares some great stories about growing up in Marquette, working for NPR plus her food and music favorites. 

Whitney Waar - COO of Traverse City Tourism promoting Traverse City Food & Wine August 20-24, 2025

This week on Lick the Plate Michigan up north, host David Boylan is joined by Cedar native Rachel Zemanek, the owner of the fabulous new Folded Leaf in Cedar. This multi-purpose community space is part bookstore, snuggery and live music venue that also has wine and beer flights and a plethora of local events.  The Folded Leaf welcomes everyone and is a hub of diversity in Northwest Michigan.

Rachel Zemanek - Owner of the Folded Leaf – a bookstore, community space and more in Cedar, Michigan

From the Top is America’s largest national platform celebrating the stories, talents, and character of classically-trained young musicians. Through live events, NPR and YouTube broadcasts, scholarships, and leadership programs, we empower these extraordinary young people to engage and inspire music lovers of all ages.

We hope you enjoy hearing the stories and music from NPR's From the Top with host Christopher O'Riley, the most popular weekly classical music program on public radio. 

Lick the Plate features a different culinary personality weekly from Detroit, Windsor, Northern Michigan and San Diego. “Lick the Plate tells the unique stories of the  talented, eclectic mix of culinary personalities in these markets and beyond. And those folks tend to have some entertaining stories." ~David Boylan, Producer & Host

Lick the Plate is the original culinary, culture and music feature in Traverse City, Detroit and San Diego.

Hi, I'm Jonah Cohen, a composer, conductor, pianist, and cellist from Michigan! Feel free to check out my music on this channel, and for any inquiries, email jcohen0504@gmail.com. Thanks so much for visiting my channel!

New tracks tagged #Interlochen