Richard Brooks

Viola and Guitar (or Lute)

Composer's Note:

Four Miniatures (2003) for viola and guitar (lute) was composed for, and is dedicated to violist Louise Schulman and guitarist (lutenist) William Zito. To be asked by two such distinguished artists to compose a recital piece for them is extremely gratifying.

It was a real challenge to balance the different technical features of these two instruments. While both can be plucked, the guitar cannot sustain as well as the viola. In the opening and closing section of the Pavane the viola plays the melody while the guitar provides an accompaniment; in the chordal inner section they function equally. In the Cantilena they participate equally in a rhapsodic counterpoint, taking turns coming to the fore. In each of the other two movements they are blended together so as to seem like one large, sometimes bowed, sometimes plucked, instrument.

The four movements are titled: Pavane, Cantilena, Moto Perpetuo, Rondo and were more or less composed in that order. However, the players are free to play them in any order they choose.