Capriccio Ensemble; Chouhai Min, violin; Korey Konkol, viola; Mina Fisher, cello
John Tartaglia's string trio, Wave Functions, is a wonderful contemporary example of the connection that has long existed between the weird science of quantum mechanics and the harmonious field of music. The sound waves that make music possible are subject to many of the same mathematical rules as the quantum wave functions that describe the activity of electrons and photons. But John Tartaglia's trio goes far beyond formal similarities to demonstrate that absolute music provides a genuinely appropriate language for expressing the abstract ideas of modern physics.
One of the first works commissioned by Ensemble Capriccio, Around Columbia belongs to a growing number of works that Randall Davidson has written on America. His fascination with this continent exceeds national boundaries and cultural histories.
The three movements of this work draw their inspiration from towns in central Missouri. "Centralia" takes its name from the self-proclaimed capitol of "Little Dixie," an area that still mourns the death of the Confederacy. To many of the natives of this town, its name perfectly describes their attitude toward their community and themselves. You will recognize three types of music in this movement: the music that takes power by attacking (atonal), the music that takes power by parading its patriotism ("Star Spangled Banner" and "Dixie"), and the music that takes power by surviving.
Ensemble Capriccio commissioned Stanislaw Skrowaczewski to write String Trio in 1991. In this work Skrowaczewski follows traditional, classical principles to horizontally and soloistically expose each instrument. At the same time, he sought to bind the three parts by vertical chords and harmonies, and with sharp rhythmic patterns that demand perfect synchronization. Harmonically, each movement has one or more melodic groups or themes. Patterns of certain intervals reflect Skrowaczewki's obsession with the interplay of augmented fourths with perfect fourths, diminished ninths and sevenths, etc. These patterns are repeated in all five movements. The titles describe the musical character of each movement.
This title, originally issued on the CRI label, is now available as a burn-on-demand CD (CD-R) or download in MP3/320, FLAC or WAV formats. CD-Rs come in a protective sleeve; no print booklet or jewel case included. Liner notes are accessible via the link above.
String Trios by Tartaglia, Davidson, Skrowaczewski
MP3/320 | $9.99 | |
FLAC | $9.99 | |
WAV | $9.99 | |
CD-R | $9.99 |
A *.pdf of the notes may be accessed here free of charge.
Track Listing
Wave Functions for String Trio: I. The Dancing Wu-Li
John Tartaglia
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Wave Functions for String Trio: II. Bell's Theorem
John Tartaglia
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Wave Functions for String Trio: III. Schrödinger's Cat
John Tartaglia
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Wave Functions for String Trio: IV. Surely...Mr. Feynman
John Tartaglia
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Around Columbia: I. Centralia
Randall Davidson
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Around Columbia: II. Mexico-Bolivar Tango
Randall Davidson
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Around Columbia: III. Around Columbia
Randall Davidson
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String Trio: I. Misterioso
Stanislaw Skrowaczewski
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String Trio: II. Adagietto
Stanislaw Skrowaczewski
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String Trio: III. Scherzando
Stanislaw Skrowaczewski
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String Trio: IV. Adagio amoroso
Stanislaw Skrowaczewski
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String Trio: V. Furioso
Stanislaw Skrowaczewski
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