Violin | Viola | Cello | String Bass
Music for Cello
Program Notes
Composed in 2007, If, was written at the request of Peter Alexander (Alexander Publishing)
and is part of a larger project of Solo Compositions written for each major instrument of the
Orchestra: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn in F, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Violin, Viola,
Cello and Double Bass. The project consisted of composing music for specific poems chosen by
Peter that he felt reflected the character of each instrument. For the Solo Trombone, the poem
assigned was If by Rudyard Kipling.
If by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating, and yet don’t look too good, not talk too wise:
If you can dream -- and not make dreams your master; if you can think -- and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, and stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings and never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings -- nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, if all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run --
Yours is the earth and everything that’s in it, and -- which more -- you’ll be a Man, my Son!
Dr. Kenneth Meints - Trombone
Anne Madison - Piano
Stephen Hill
Scenes from West
Yellowstone Suite
Cello and Piano
SARAHTIM Music Publishing
Scenes from West Yellowstone Suite
Cello and Piano / ca. 9:20 / 2017 / Six Movements
Program Notes
Scenes from West Yellowstone was composed between June 10-12, 2017, while on a solo fly fishing and camping trip at Indian Creek Campground, West Yellowstone, Wyoming. This work was composed to be playable by each of the instruments of the Band and Orchestral families. The solo melodic material uses only the notes of a one-octave major scale, yet each movement intentionally increases in technical demands of the player. Each movement is reflective of actual encounters while on vacation in Yellowstone Park.
1st mvt. - Meadows along the Madison
(Walking through the meadows on the way down to fly fish along the banks of the Madison River)
2nd mvt. - Prairie Dogs
(Watching two prairie dogs scurrying nearby while fly fishing)
3rd mvt. - Snowfall at Indian Creek
(Yes, it actually snowed on me in the campground in June)
4th mvt. - Birds in the Meadow
(Watching the birds flitting about me as they suddenly turned about in all directions)
5th mvt. - A Deer in the Rain
(Watching the deer quietly walking near the river in a gentle rain)
6th mvt. - Fly Fishing for Browns on the Madison
(Casting the line back and forth, watching the “fly” gently land on the top of the water, t
hen the sudden splash of the beautiful brown trout as it takes the fly.)
Stephen Hill
The Prairie
Cello and Piano
SARAHTIM Music Publishing
The Prairie
Cello and Piano / ca. 3:30 / 2007 / With gentleness throughout
Program Notes
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Composed in 2007, The Prairie was written at the request of Peter Alexander (Alexander Publishing) and is part of a larger project of Solo Compositions written for each major instrument of the Orchestra: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn in F, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass. The project consisted of composing music for specific poems chosen by Peter that he felt reflected the character of each instrument. For the Solo Tuba, the poem assigned was The Prairie by Rudyard Kipling. This setting for Violin was requested by Ruth Meints (Omaha Conservatory of Music.)
The Prairie by Rudyard Kipling
I see the grass shake in the sun for leagues on either hand,
I see a river loop and run about a treeless land --
An empty plain, a steely pond, a distance diamond-clear,
And low blue naked hills beyond. And what is that to fear?"
"Go softly by that river-side or, when you would depart,
You'll find its every winding tied and knotted round your heart.
Be wary as the seasons pass, or you may ne'er outrun
The wind that sets that yellowed grass a-shiver 'neath the Sun."
I hear the summer storm outblown -- the drip of the grateful wheat.
I hear the hard trail telephone a far-off horse's feet.
I hear the horns of Autumn blow to the wild-fowl overhead;
And I hear the hush before the snow. And what is that to dread?"
"Take heed what spell the lightning weaves -- what charm the echoes shape --
Or, bound among a million sheaves, your soul shall not escape.
Bar home the door of summer nights lest those high planets drown
The memory of near delights in all the longed-for town."
"What need have I to long or fear? Now, friendly, I behold
My faithful seasons robe the year in silver and in gold.
Now I possess and am possessed of the land where I would be,
And the curve of half Earth's generous breast shall soothe and ravish me!"
Stephen Hill
"Thus mellow'd to
that tender light..."
Cello (Unaccompanied)
SARAHTIM Music Publishing
"Thus mellow'd to that tender light..."
Cello (unaccompanied) / ca. 6:45 / 2007 / With gentleness throughout
Program Notes
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Composed in 2007, Thus mellow’d to that tender light…, was written at the request of Peter Alexander (Alexander Publishing) and is part of a larger project of Solo Compositions written for each major instrument of the Orchestra: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn in F, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass. The project consisted of composing music for specific poems chosen by Peter that he felt reflected the character of each instrument. For the Solo Cello, the poem assigned was She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron.
She Walks In Beauty by Lord Byron
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow’d to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair’d the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!