Happy Thanksgiving!

October wasn't a very good composing month for me. I was very busy teaching and with my family and just couldn't seem to find a good sense of direction for this piece. However, with just one week left until December 1st and the delivery, I've finally made some significant progress towards its completion!

It looks like the new piece is going to open in  C minor(ish). I've settled on a slow-fast-slow formal for the work with the following approximate timings: An opening slow section of 1:30-2:00 followed by a 2:00-2:30 fast section, and then a :30-:45 second slow conclusion. 

The first 45 seconds of the piece is mostly completed. I have to make some decisions about bowings and there may be some adjustments to relative lengths of notes and phrases depending upon the overall architecture and proportion of the piece. I feel comfortable enough to share an image of the score:

The work opens with a C-G drone in the first and second violins. This drone serves as the backdrop for the entrance of a solo viola, followed by a solo cello, and then two solo violins creating a solo quartet that presents the thematic material for the piece. The soloists come together in measure 10 and present a series of chords to end the introductory music.

The plan is to finish this slow opening Thanksgiving Day before turning my attention to the fast music over the holiday weekend. If I stay on task, I should have a complete score in the first part of the week. I will hopefully post another update before the end of the weekend!