Toft Serenade (2006)
For violin and piano
Also a version fo viola and piano
Commissioned by Christopher and Douglas Toft for their parents, Richard and Marietta, in honor of their respective 70th and 65th birthdays
Premiered by Rachel Barton Pine, violin, and Matthew Hagle, piano, Chicago, Illinois, 28 October 2006
Duration: 6 minutes
Toft Serenade for violin and piano, composed in 2006, is a six- minute duo commissioned by Christopher and Douglas Toft for their parents, Richard and Marietta, in honor of their respective 70th and 65th birthdays. It was premiered by Rachel Barton Pine, violin and Matthew Hagle, piano in Chicago on October 28, 2006 at a private party. This Serenade is organic and, at every level, concerned with transformations and connections.
In two colorful sections, which are played seamlessly, Toft Serenade starts with a majestic, lyrical, long solo violin song, as if the violinist was serenading outside of their lover's window at midnight! This melody is supported by resonant piano harmonies (somewhat reminiscent of a guitar strumming along, accompanying the serenading violinist).
The midnight serenade works! In the second section, which is playful, spirited, virtuosic, airborne, and vibrant, imagine that the serenaded climbs out of the window and runs away, forever and ever, with their lover.
A version for viola and piano also exists of Toft Serenade. It is identical, just transposed down a perfect fifth.
Augusta Read Thomas
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