Nonsense Passacaglia (2020) for Piano and Sinfonietta

Program Note:
Nonsense Passacaglia extends the concept of continuous-variation form to the point of gleeful absurdity. Traditionally, a passacaglia is a musical form that features a repeating chord progression. These chords play once per variation, supporting a melodic line of increasing complexity. In Nonsense Passacaglia, rather than a tonal progression, the repeated chords form an infinitely-spiraling sequence of unrelated sonorities. The recurring chords do not provide harmonic support for the melody, instead, they form a stream of musical objects subject to developmental procedures. The piano’s role as soloist is always in question; at times it dutifully recites the passacaglia chords, at other times it asserts itself with percussive outbursts. All the while, the ensemble seems intent on pushing forward, like a clunky machine, indifferent to any emotive connotations of music.

Dedicated to my dear friend Alex Taylor, who showed me a new way to hear triads.

Recorded By:
Flute/Piccolo: Tyler Martin
Oboe: Daniel Calahorra
Clarinet: Roy Park
Contrabassoon: Kipras Mazeika
Horn: Lauren Anker
Trumpet: Omri Barak
Trombone: Zachary Glaser
Percussion: Aaron Smith and Michael Metz
Piano: Theo Chandler*
Violin I: Jacob Schafer
Violin II: Mary Grace Johnson
Viola: Sebastian Stefanovic
Cello: Bree Ahern
Bass: Austin Lewellen

*With considerable stitching-together of short excerpts

Nonsense Passacaglia

Oboe Concerto: Mvt. 6 - Tocatta

Oboe Concerto: Mvt. 5 - Vocalise

Oboe Concerto: Mvt. 4 - Scherzo and Fiddle Tune

Oboe Concerto: Mvt. 3 - Scene

Oboe Concerto: Mvt. 2 - Insect Piece

Oboe Concerto: Mvt. 1 - The Sea

Suite - V: Ground Bass

Suite - IV: Two Minuets and a Trill

Suite - III: Redaction

Suite - II: Jittering Dance

Suite - I: Prelude

Theo Chandler

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