Composition

Recordings

Autumn Suite for solo viola:

Under the Sun is based on a thought about the overwhelming nature of creation from Ecclesiastes 8:16-17:

When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

I wrote it for Derek Mosloff, the excellent violist who is recorded here, in 2010. I’m at the piano. (Trouble viewing the embedded Soundcloud content? Visit my Soundcloud page.)

Lullaby in C is a slow but difficult piece for solo viola, which I composed for my wife, Kathleen. One of the joys of composing is to hear different successful interpretations of one’s work. Here I have included contrasting recordings by Derek Mosloff and by my teacher, Clark Potter.


Duet in A was inspired by a friend and violinist from music camp. This 2003 recording features Helen Kim on the violin and myself on the viola.

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