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Program Notes
Lament for viola and double bass was written as part of the Hartt School's "Uncertainty of Fate" commission for miniatures revolving around the theme "what has the year 2020 meant to you?" For myself, like many others, 2020 was a time of sudden change and adaptation and it didn't come without its fair share of difficulties. 2020 was the year that I finished my bachelors degree at the University of Rhode Island and then started my masters at the Hartt School. In truth, I was often overwhelmed during this time due to the events of the year. I found myself often lacking motivation to compose far more frequently than any other year. As its name implies, Lament is not a light-hearted work. It is a meditation on dealing with and overcoming emotional strife. The double bass gives an opening question which is shortly answered by the viola with a question of its own that leads into the pseudo march tempo that persists throughout the rest of the piece. Both instruments continue their conversation, often emphasizing dissonant harmonies in their melodies, trading off with point and counterpoint until they reach an asynchronous attempt at unity. Finally, the two are able to speak as one. As clarity is found the viola gives one final cry and the two instruments march onwards towards the unknown. Lament for viola and double bass was written for Harry Grossman and Elizabeth Knaub.