Thomas Goss - Composer - Preludes for Viola

Chamber Works - Preludes for Viola (1984-2001)

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instrumentation

This work exists in the following four arrangements:

A.	for Solo Viola and Piano (1984, rev. 1990)
B.	for Solo Viola and Orchestra (arr. 1995) - 3232, 4231, timp., 2 perc., harp, strings
C.	for Solo Viola, Harpsichord, and Cello (arr. 1996)
D.	for Solo Viola and String Orchestra (arr. 2001)

premiere

A.	Premiered March 15, 1992 Linda Ghidossi-DeLuca, viola Richard Corbett, piano Kenwood, California
B.	Not performed or recorded
C.	Premiered March 30, 1996 Linda Ghidossi-DeLuca, viola , harpsichord Corinne Antipa, cello Five Corners Community Hall Petaluma, California
D.	Premiered May 5, 2001 by the YPCO, directed by Linda Ghidossi-DeLuca Julia Berian, solo viola Luther Burbank Center for the Performing Arts Santa Rosa, California

duration

14 minutes

movements

1. My Beating Heart
2. A Visitor Comes to Call
3. The Wait
4. Our Story Comes to an End

dedication

for C. M., for who knows what and who knows why

program note

Program notes for May 5, 2001

This composition is an exploration into romantic love and loss from the early life of the composer, and depicts chapters in a story from discovery and courtship through disillusionment and acceptance. Conceived in conjunction with a cycle of poetry, the structure of the music reflects speech patterns, line groupings, and stanzas in its rhythm and linear texture. The repeating melody in "The Wait" represents the message of an answering machine.

This work is Goss' most-arranged piece. Originally conceived as a vocalise for alto singer, it was completely revised for viola and piano specifically for YPCO director Linda Ghidossi-DeLuca, who performed and recorded the piece in 1991 with pianist Richard Corbett. The work has since been arranged for baroque trio with 'cello and harpsichord, and full orchestra, both versions maintaining viola as the solo voice. This version is in some ways its ultimate arrangement, representing the completion of a 16-year journey of a work towards its most perfected form of the most complex-toned solo instrument of viola being supported by the rich and complementary texture of full strings.

Program Notes for original recording

1. My Beating Heart

Boyish shyness wells up inside, a flock of emotions departing the surface of a hidden lake. But the head that rests on my shoulder is as unafraid as the hand that rests over my beating heart.

2. A Visitor Comes to Call

A brave young man visits his lady love with the thorny stem of a rose clenched firmly between his teeth. Her boyfriend answers the door, a man of infinite patience and with a sense of humor. Cupid hovers, frustrated.

3. The Wait

Hi, I'm not in right now, but if you leave your name and number, I'll get right back to you.
Hi, I'm not in right now, but if you leave your name and number, I'll get right back to you.
Hi, I'm not in right now, but if you leave your name and number, I'll get right back to you.

4. Our Story Comes to an End

Ten years from now, we'll look back and laugh. But today the telephone sits mute in the corner, echoing the sentiment of my empty pen. And our story comes to an end.

There were never two who were more ready, in spite of themselves, to fall in love.

Ah, but not to each other. Not to each other.