1. Roll Jordan Roll; 2. Dangdut

Roll Jordan Roll’ (movement one) is a series of genre variations on the African-American spiritual of the same name. The melody was transcribed from a 78rpm recording of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, and in turn, this appeared on the 1962 Folkways LP entitled An Introduction to Gospel Song.

DANGDUT - 2nd movement

ROLL JORDAN ROLL - 1st movement

STRING QUARTET No. 4 was composed in the winter and spring of 2009.  Although some twelve-tone techniques are used in some passages, each of the four movements is freely atonal, with moments of tonality thrown in for good measure. Most of the material for each movement grows out of the initial gesture of the first: tonal, descending tetrachords in parallel major sevenths.

The first movement suggests a traditional sonata form with several contrasting thematic ideas presented, developed, combined and restated. The second movement is a free fantasy-style piece in a somewhat somber mood. The third movement is a multi-sectional structure meant to resemble a traditional scherzo. The final movement is a rhythmically vigorous finale combining features of sonata form and rondo form. Performance materials available from the American Composers Alliance.

brooksstquartet4excerpt.mp3

'The Canticle of Brother Sun' of Francis of Assisi
I. The Song II. The Dance III. Capriccio on a Hungarian Children's Dance Song

Excerpt -

1. Bulun Bat Eta Bulun Bi; 2. Douce Dame Jolie; 3.

3rd movement

Four Inventions flanks two differently conceived central slow movements with two differently conceived fast movements. Quick interchanges between the piano and bassoon, sudden changes in dynamics and the character of the material, are summed up in the designation of the invention, as SKITTISH. The bassoon is layed out varioiusly together with the piano, and as an unsynchronized line, giving the piece a variety of rhythmic structure. Gradually both parts come somewhat together for the fourth movement, which is march-like, and concludes with dramatic flashes of conflicit, mixed with moments of humor, which appear and disappear.

First movement, "Skittish" Bruce Hammel, bassoon; Landon Bilyeu, piano

Revised score and Part (2002) now 2010

Spiritual Fantasy No. 24 Excerpt; Ben Ringer, clarinet