Title: Conversations
Commission/Dedication: Written for Adam Frey and Scott Stewart
Premiere: Details unknown
Composer: Barbara York
Publisher: Cimarron Music Press
Year: 2008
Program notes from the composer:
Conversations was written for Adam Frey and Scott Stewart. When I began this piece, I had recently returned from a trip to Canada, during which I had the opportunity to visit family members I had not seen in several years. Each of the movements depicts some sort of conversational and/or family interaction – the type one might experience at such reunion.
The first movement is very much inspired by images of my teenaged stepson, Aaron, on the skateboard he always loved to ride. The second movement is reminiscent of a conversation my sisters and I had about our deceased mother.
The third movement is a little different because it not only includes my son Matthew, about whom I frequently write my most cheerful, energetic and humorous pieces, but because it also reflects a comment that his new bride, Lorissa, made when she finally met our Canadian relations for the first time. She laughingly remarked, “Now I finally understand what is going on when we get together as a family at Christmas or Thanksgiving! I have always thought you were just like a bunch of chickens, all talking at once and yet still keeping track of what everyone else was saying in the same room!” So for Lorissa, with my love, the third movement includes both Matthew AND a flock of chickens, all talking and laughing at the same time.
With affection and much good humor,
Barbara York, 2005
Author assessment and pedagogical considerations:
“Conversations” was the winner of The Harvey Phillips Award for “Euphonium as featured in Chamber Music” at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference 2006.
This piece is appropriate for advanced undergraduate students and above. It’s easy to put together with the accompaniment and the most challenging aspect for the saxophone and euphonium come from rhythm. Particularly, in the third movement. Metronome practice is a must in this movement.
The euphonium and saxophone players should prepare to spend time rehearsing together, sans accompanist, to work on harmonies that are rhythmically synced and not far apart from one another, especially in the second movement.
Recordings:
Adam Frey, euphonium
Scott Stewart, saxophone
Michael Fennelly, piano
