Fall 2003 Composition Recital Program

Wednesday, December 3, 2003, 5:00pm

Recital Hall, UTSA Department of Music

 

 

Prelude III (2003)

Jesus Gachupin (b. 1980)


Kevin Richmond, piano

 

 

Short Piece for Clarinet (2003)

Matt Cykowski (b. 1976)

 

Carlos Esparza, clarinet

 

 

Windtalker  (2003)

Sophia E. DiGonis (b. 1977)

 

Joseph Barrera, violin

 

Greivous (2003)

Steven Williamson (b. 1984)

 

Michelle Stephens, flute

 

Hungry Dog (2002)

 John A. Lugo II (b. 1973)

 

Edward Delgado, Bb trumpet

Kelsey Lien, alto saxophone

John Heidgerken, euphonium

Juan Mendoza, vibraphone

 

 

Adnil (2003)

Robert A. Chavez, Jr. (b. 1953)

I.                    Searching

II.                 Romanza

III.               C.I. (Conflicting Issues)

 

Michelle Stephens, flute

Tash van Courtland, oboe

Joey Garza, clarinet

Shelly Ascolese, horn

Rolando Vera, bassoon

 

Mediterraneo (2003)

Sophia E. DiGonis 

 

Marcella Adame, voice

Joseph Barrera, violin

Geofferey Waite, piano

 

 

 


Program Notes

 

When I first began Windtalker I was actually in my aural skills class working on assymetrical rhythms.  I found an old Greek melody in my textbook that tapped into my childhood memories.  I found myself explaining to the class what Greek music was like along with its elements.  With that moment tapping into my system I actually started to do even more research on the Greek plus other European cultures. One that really sparked my mind was that of the Gypsies.  I found a book entitled The Gypsies in Music by Franz Liszt.  It was this book that really gave me an enlightening impression of these people, their culture and their makeup. I could clearly see why Franz Liszt was so inspired to write some of his greatest works.  “Windtalker” is an expressive piece based on the gypsy’s touch on the violin.  The gypsy’s passion for life, the way one is in tune with surroundings, in this case the wind; embracing its gust, and understanding its direction. It’s about the oneness of nature and embracing the music it creates for us to feel, to embrace and to breathe.

- S.D.

 

Greivous is a piece written not while being in a depressed state of mind, but written looking back on a moment of being extremely greivous.  A single flute is helps convey the feeling of loneliness. The extreme dynamics represent the feeling of not being herd at all and the crying out we give when our face is buried in our hands. The piece was written about my experience when my close uncle died when I was twelve years old.

- S. W.

 

Hungry Dog: It is a common misconception that dogs need meat to live healthy lives.  Dogs require specific nutrients, not specific foods.  My sister’s companion dog, Chianti, has pancreatitis and is allowed only bread for a treat.  Vegetarian dog food as well as cat food in various brands can be purchased through www.veggiepets.com, or www.epetpals.com.  A good book to read about this subject is “Vegetarian Dogs: Toward a World Without Exploitation” by Verona re-Bow and Jonathan Dune.  Spread the word.

- J.L.

 

Adnil is a three mini movement piece written for woodwind quintet. The piece describes what Romantic relationships go thru. The first movement, Searching, paints the picture of love looking for a possible candidate. The use of the octatonic scale, quartal harmony and the time signatures (4/4, 5/4) represent the search and potential courtships that are encountered. The second movement, Romanza, a more tonal approach, portrays the new love of our life and the anticipation of tomorrow. I implement the use of 11th chords omitting certain chord tones (the weak overtones). The third movement, C.I. (Conflicting Issues), depicts the “baggage” that we bring into a relationship that must be worked out together. I use the time signatures 9/8 and  6/8, hemiola and the minor 9 chord. This piece is dedicated to my beloved one, Linda Clemo.

- R. C.

 

Mediterraneo is a piece of music I kept in my files for a while.  It’s a significant piece to me because it hits so close to home. The quarter-note triplet is found in most Greek music to emphasize a point in the music. I used that piece to add a little assymetricality and beauty to it.  I loved composing this piece because of its honesty, its direction and beauty.  It is uplifting to both performers and audience.  The lyrics are understood by all who are looking for that special something to find in life.

- S. D.

Mediterraneo

by Sophia E. DiGonis

 

Mediterraneo

Give me direction

tell me the place I am destined for

Where to go as of now.

 

Mediterraneo

Is there a place for me?

Is there a purpose for me I wonder now

cause I ‘m ready to sail.

 

Oh, Mediterraneo

Where do I go from here?

just give me the map in the stars up above

and show me the way, the way to my heart.

 

My heart aches for your wisdom.

I pray for your guidnace I ask for your hand

to guide me where to go, Mediterraneo

For love for purpose, for wisdom, for life.

 

I ask for your hand and the stars in the sky

To guide me in all, yes, in all of your ways,

Show me to sail with all of my heart.

Show me where to sail with all of my heart.

 

Tell me where I must go

Mediterraneo!!!