Program Notes

Written for the Amorsima Trio, Flutter, Swoop, and Wheel is a phantasy upon the first 20 bars of Beethoven’s String Trio in c minor, Op. 9 #3 (1st theme and transition). The focus is shifted from meter, harmony, and rhythm to timbre, density and dynamics, which entailed the sort of kaleidoscopic blurring I associate with the music of Ligeti (who also loved Beethoven). The score extends traditional notation somewhat, with the aim of giving the ensemble great freedom to shape the piece; because what is a collaboration without trust? It was also my first foray into freehand digital musical calligraphy, a pleasure I recommend highly.