John D. McDonald

Violin and Viola

Composer's Note:

Where do each of us begin and end in situations-in-motion? How do we work and relate together, yet behave autonomously and collaboratively at the same time?
Inspired by the titular word-pairing encountered in Nathaniel Mackey's virtuosic three-volume poem Double Trio ("twinned and entwined ourselves"), and commissioned by the Five College New Music Festival (premiered September 10, 2022 at U Mass Amherst by Luca Kevorkian, violin; and Devin Cowan, viola), the particular weave of this duet poses these questions. As imposing musical and/or life challenges arise, how do the two string players address them? One example might be how, amidst small motivic, figural actions buffeting from part to part/person to person, three long triplet phrases in rhythmic unison enter late in the game with intended sweep. These phrases both settle and somehow transcend the intricate interactive activity that dominates the duet; the players agree to agree and say a lot together, allowing confusion and argument to pass and the music to end.
The duet is dedicated with thanks to the FCNMF co-directors, violinist Elizabeth Chang and composer Eric Sawyer.