Christopher Rouse Master Class - "With Issa" : Seven Pieces for Solo Violin (2007)

With Issa : Seven Pieces for Solo Violin (2007)

I. caged bird -- watching the butterfly with envy
II. dewdrops scatter -- the sparrow sings of next-life salvation
III. cherry blossoms scatter -- a nightingale and I singing
IV. in evening moonlight -- going bare-chested ... snail
V. in the tree shade -- dwelling with a butterfly ... friends in a previous life
VI. just touching -- the cherry blossom petals bring tears
VII. the bird is singing -- but it ain't blooming ... plum tree

The purpose in composing this work was to study the sound and techniques of the solo violin. For the inspiration for musical expression, I looked to six poems by the traditional Japanese poet, Kobayashi Issa.

All of the movements of my work are very descriptive based on my interpretation of each Haiku. For example, the first movement describes the Haiku's content fairly directly, such as the bird's envy and agitation (narrow intervals) and the butterfly's movement (large leaps). The second and fifth movements are intermezzo-like fast pieces. In the third movement, I put an emphasis on contrasting between pizzicato and arco. For technical study, I intend the performer to play additional notes while holding an open string in the fourth movement. The last movement is a study in plucking string technique.

- Performance

Christopher Rouse Master Class

Feb.10.2011 The Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University

Martiros Shakhzadyan(Violin)

"Echo" for Two Oboes and English Horn

Echo for Two Oboes and English Horn (2010)

In the beginning of composing this piece for three instruments in oboe family, it was challenging that handle those same or similar sound. When I designed a basic idea, the concept of echo was came across my mind. Especially, as remaining sound the reverberation. which I had heard after the echo on the top of the mountain, was attractive inspiration.

With this idea, I composed a piece focusing on the procession of gradual sound changes in slow tempo. However, the first completed version of "Echo" was somewhat imperfect. Even though it seemed to achieve the basic idea well, but musically it sounded flat and colorless. When I began to revise the piece, I tried to compress loosely spread musical ingredient. Additionally, I divided the piece as three sections and added some passages for rhythmic diversity and alternating motives.

For "Echo", the revising was seemed to be equal with composing new work in the end. It was painful when I confronted numerous moment of discarding or manipulating sound from the original piece. However, I believe the pain was worth, because the more I struggled with my music, the more I felt the sound be polished.

- Performance

Composition Department Recital

Feb.9.2011 Griswold Hall, The Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University

Ursula Sahagian(1st Oboe)
Elizabeth Honeyman(2nd Oboe)
Victoria Ritter(English Horn)