The Proverbial Kick

[vkioulaphides]

Greetings, friends.

I have just delivered my latest baby, Garlands, a duet for mandolin and double bass, to the two SPECTACULAR performers who requested it: mandolinist Chris Acquavella, and bassist Jeremy Kurtz. The former's dazzling playing is well known among many denizens of the Café; the latter's virtuosity is on ample display at his website, and on his latest CD—Jeremy's day-job is Principal Bass of the San Diego Symphony.

Garlands was written with the express purpose (partly articulated by Chris, partly surmised by Yours Truly) of whipping up a storm. It is a proverbial kick, of the do-not-try-this-at-home variety. No, the parts themselves are nowhere near the level of difficulty of, say, Calace's Preludes. It is the sum total effect that should rock the stage— if I've gotten it right.

In a sense, the experience of composing Garlands was for me like a deeply thought-provoking self-portrait, as if a painter were sitting between two mirrors, and painting both his profiles at the same time. Having played the mandolin since early childhood, and the bass as my profession since my teens, I stand, Janus-like, between the two instruments. Yet I had never thought of writing for his instrumentation...

I therefore thank Chris and Jeremy for giving me the opportunity to look at my life's work from both angles. I hope that they will enjoy performing this piece as much as I enjoyed composing it and that, with their fantastic virtuosity, they will bring the house down with it.

Cheers to Chris, Jeremy, and all yet-unformed mandolin/bass duos. As usual, this piece will circulate only after the premiere, whenever that is.

Victor

[KristinEliza]

Sweet! Can't wait to hear it...see it...play it!

[vkioulaphides]

Thank you kindly, KristinEliza.

Since you are "in training", as you say I don't mind reiterating my usual practice, namely that I leave each new piece I compose exclusively in the hands of the artist(s) who requested/commissioned it until the premiere; after that, I circulate the score far and wide, either gratis as pdf file(s) sent via e-mail to any and all who ask for it, or via commercial publishers who may have contracted the rights to it.

For now, the ball is in the court of Messrs. Acquavella & Kurtz. Beyond that... everything in its due time.

Cheers,

Victor

[Alex Timmerman]

Hello Victor!

Again music for a not so common combination that can be great fun! Knowing you I am sure it will be nice and special again. Needless to say I look forward to see it after Chris and Jeremy Kurtz premiered it.


Congrats and best regards,

Alex.

[KristinEliza]

Victor-

I'm always looking for different instrumentations since most of my musical friends are in the symphonic world (know a lot of cellists and bassists) and I am the only 'classical' mandolinist in my area (no matter how hard I try to recruit). But I do teach with someone who is taking classical guitar lessons...so there's hope yet!

[vkioulaphides]

LOVE that quote! Oh, there are plenty of people I'd like to slap con forza on occasion-- and for good reason, too!

Yes, a guitarist partner would be quite ideal, as there is, of course, an enormous repertoire for that instrumental combination. Mandolin and bass would be quite unexceptional in a bluegrass setting, but of course rare otherwise. I also have a set of songs for mezzo and mandolin, whose premiere convinced me of how beautifully natural, mutually supportive that combination can sound. But since, as you say, you have access to symphonic musicians, the possibilities are virtually endless. If you are speaking of members of the North Carolina Symphony (among whom I have had many friends, ever since my symphonic years), you will certainly be in good company!

Cheers,

Victor