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Sonata for Solo Violin No 1

Transient Pre-psychotic Episodes

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Composed: 5th May - 31st June, 2018

Dur: ~ 17:00

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​​ISMN: 979-0-720090-53-5

Whilst having no clear 'movements' as such, and being one continuos flow, Transient Pre-psychotic Episodes could be broken up into the following 'zones':

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1 -Lontano...

2 -Declamatory: Intro Proper

3 -Fugue

4 -Allegro

5 -Into the Distance......

Sonata No 1 was composed for my 'Musical God Daughter', Julia Lim. My long-time violin student, (who long since has since surpassed me in many ways) she needed a work for her end of high school music recital. I promised to write something in 'the modern style' for her performance program.

 

Needless to say, I began work on it far too late, which, in retrospect was a good thing; as it became apparent that it would not be ready for her recital, I could then 'go' freely with the increasingly complex and self-generating flow of ideas and states of mind.

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As a violinist myself, it would not be surprising that, being deeply steeped in, and having internalised the Solo Sonatas of both Bach and Ysaye, as well as Paganini, they have informed and guided my understanding in writing for this complex, and strangely irrelevant (in this day and age) yet still supremely significant and iconic medium. Combined with a profound indebtedness to one of the seminal giants of the 20th Century, Jimmy Hendrix, I have done what I had to do.

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Romano Crivici, 13th August, 2018

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L' Adieux

Pseudo-Partita for solo violin

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Composed: 6th - 21st Jan, 2022

Dur: ~ 6:00

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​​ISMN: 979-0-720090-??-?

Whilst performed in one continuos flow, L' Adiex still has fairly defined movements:

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1 -Grave; Allemande (!?)

2 -Sad bit

3 -Quasi-Menuet

4 - Freely, into the Distance......

This was the first version I wrote for the final scene of our film, The Last Violin. I thought it was good, and so did Carla, (lots of rich harmonies, runs, virtuosic thrills, etc) till she realised it was missing something: "It doesn't have a beautiful soaring melodic section....the quintessence of the violin....that's what the audience needs to hear, to recognize as the distinguishing feature....... blah, and blah.....

 

Anyway, this work was done! Back to the drawing board!

This was the first version I wrote for the final scene of our film, The Last Violin. I thought it was good, and so did Carla, (lots of rich harmonies, runs, virtuosic thrills, etc) till she realised it was missing something: "It doesn't have a beautiful soaring melodic section....the quintessence of the violin....that's what the audience needs to hear, to recognize as the distinguishing feature....... blah, and blah.....

 

Anyway, this work was done! Back to the drawing board!

This was the first version I wrote for the final scene of our film, The Last Violin. I thought it was good, and so did Carla, (lots of rich harmonies, runs, virtuosic thrills, etc) till she realised it was missing something: "It doesn't have a beautiful soaring melodic section....the quintessence of the violin....that's what the audience needs to hear, to recognize as the distinguishing feature....... blah, and blah.....

 

Anyway, this work was done! Back to the drawing board!

Adagio for Solo Violin

Always, only in passing....

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Composed: 13th - 16th Jan, 2022

Dur: ~ 6:00

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​​ISMN: 979-0-720090-91-7                                                                                          

Adagio for Solo Violin was the second attempt at a piece for the final scene of our film, The Last Violin. I took it into directions I thought Carla was suggesting, (lots of rich harmonies, runs, virtuosic thrills, etc) till she realised it was missing something: "It still doesn't quite cut it, quoth she... "it still doesn't soar"!

 

"But how can I make it soar in a way that a concerto does, without an accompaniment," I asked in despair (and this shows the way in which imagination expresses itself through the limitations that are assumed) "I would have needed to include a piano: ....."so let's include a piano" said the director -and I was freed! (and she was right, Goddammit!)​

Lament, rage, & release -for solo cello

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Composed: 13th - 15th Jan, 2022

Dur: ~ 6:00

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​​ISMN: 979-0-720090-??-?

(Beautifully played by

Adrian Wallis)

Initially composed as the introductory movement to Gregorian Funk, (St Qt No 5) I also envisaged this work as the first movement for an extended sonata for solo cello; I even sketched out the ideas for an allegro.... to be continued..............

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This sound excerpt is from the recording we did of Gregorian Funk back then, simply lifted, and chopped off before the quartet comes in; I have added a concluding section to make this movement complete in itself.

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But the reality of finding instrumentalists in Australia with any sense of ..... imagination?... appreciation of a new work for the fading, and mostly meaningless new repertoire meant that I never got around finishing it. What's the point.

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6.15 am, not able to sleep, working on my website, archiving my "legacy"......again I have to ask; "what's the point?"

29th May, 2022

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