Toccata

Program Notes

This is the second of three planned piano solo works in memory of Bill Albright.

The first piece, written ten years ago and simply entitled Homage a W.A., is based on a complex chord generated from his surname. In this newly-composed movement, I returned to that same collection and combined it (at the intervallic "DNA" level) with the first five pitches from his Five Chromatic Dances. Formally presented in three episodes framed by an introduction and coda, the work taps not only my own experience with Prokofiev's Toccata op. 4, but also suggests faux-stride as well as one of Bill's greatest strengths as a composer, his lyricism.

Performances

-Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IN), February 1, 2012
-Sherman Clay Pianos, Portland, Oregon, January 24, 2012
-Corley Hall, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, Missouri, January 19, 2012
-Kimball Recital Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, January 18, 2012
-SUNY-Fredonia, September 2, 2011
-Academia de Muzica Gheorge Dima, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, June 20, 2011
-Societatea de Concerte, Bistrita, Romania, June 22, 2011
-University of Iowa, April 3, 2011
-Kerrytown Concert Hall, Ann Arbor, MI, March 20, 2011