There Once Was a Time (2011)

for Violin and Piano

Grade 4.5 • 5:00 • published by Sonic Soundscape Productions

PROGRAM NOTES

Although the title reflects a personal meaning, There Once Was A Time is inspired by the many pieces in the Suzuki violin repertoire that my daughter, Rebecca, practiced and mastered in her early years of playing violin.

This work, written as a slow movement, draws on a slightly more contemporary treatment of harmony all the while wrapping itself within the common structure of harmonic minor.  The full expressiveness of the solo violin including the use of a wide range of dynamics, colors created by specific bowings, and the placement of melodic material in varying ranges of the instrument were very attractive to me as a composer when I listened to my daughter practice and why I chose to model this piece in such a way.

There Once Was a Time was composed for the composer’s daughter, Rebecca, for her senior violin recital at The Ohio State University.

INSTRUMENTATION

Violin

Piano Accompaniment