THREE MOVEMENTS FOR PIANO

THREE MOVEMENTS FOR PIANO title page

Program Note

THREE MOVEMENTS FOR PIANO is a virtuosic three-movement sonata connected by rising and falling figures and inspiration from the natural world. Each movement was composed at different times, with the order of their composition being reversed from the order in which they appear in the publication. Each movement can be performed separately as a set in the order they appear in publication, but the performer has the freedom to reorder them as they wish.

[I.] MURMURATION is inspired by the phenomenon of starlings flying in a large flock. It is meant to reflect the graceful and fluid movements of the murmuration, shifting and changing direction like a single organism. The composer was captivated by the beauty of the starlings' undulating flight and wanted to capture this in the piece. As a result, the movement is characterized by rising and falling figures that reflect the fluidity and grace of the murmuration. The movement was composed in 2015 for pianist Lisa Moore Kettle Corn New Music.

[II.] NIGHT MUSIC, composed in 2012 and premiered by pianist David Fung, is a movement bookended by a feeling of stillness and peacefulness, inspired by the Maine woods at night. The central sections of the piece contrast this peacefulness with an off-kilter, lilting dance that conveys excitement and mischievousness. Through its musical journey, Night Music invites listeners to immerse themselves in the tranquility of a moonlit forest and to relish in moments of playful delight.

[III.] EVEREST, is named after the tallest mountain on the planet. Although the sharp rising figures in the first half of the piece are reminiscent of steep cliffs, the movement is not meant to represent the mountain itself. Instead, it is intended to serve as a metaphor for a monumental obstacle encountered in life. The rising figures in the movement eventually transform into descending ones, reflecting how a person who overcomes a significant challenge emerges on the other side transformed by the experience. This movement was completed in 2010 for pianist Monika Haar.

Much went into this work and many people helped along the way. I would like to thank David Fung, Sean Kennard, Monika Haar, Lisa Moore, Futaba Niekawa, Christopher Rouse, Sheridan Seyfried, and Alex Weiser. I would also like to express my gratitude to Kettle Corn New Music for commissioning the first movement and their support during the compositional process and premiere.

-Stephen Cabell