Rhapsody for violin and piano (1983), as the title implies, aims for a highly rhapsodic, linear expressivity. Though the piece is structured loosely around a twelve-tone row it projects a strongly tonal affect much of the time. The juxtaposition of atonal and tonal gestures creates an intensely emotional aura attractive to the composer. An opening section presents several melodic figures and harmonic structures which are developed and which reappear from time to time. A brief faster section (vivo) exploits material derived from an important harmony heard at the beginning which is now subjected to assymetrical rhythmic patterns. This leads to a dramatic resumption of the original tempo and the return and further development of earlier ideas. The violin takes up the vivo figures and develops them in a scherzando manner with the piano. Nearing the end more overtly tonal figures reappear and the work concludes in a strongly lyrical fashion.

Duration: 10 minutes

Performance materials are available from American Composers Edition, American Composers Alliance, 648 Broadway, Suite 803, New York, NY 10012.