Gymnopédies Nos. 3-7/Kiki Wearing Tasha (2017)

Instrumentation
Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello

Duration
12'

Commission
Commissioned by the Boston Microtonal Society

Notes

Ezra Sims was a one-of-a-kind composer, mentor, and friend. Above all, he taught us by example how to be ourselves, to be honest at all cost. Sometimes this honesty had its consequences, but it would pay off in the end. We loved him, he was our quiet leader, and we were his extended family. We miss him terribly and honor him today with this concert.

My piece is a series of vignettes – somewhat static, quirky, and folksy – that are part of a larger set of Gymnopédies, each of which are tributes to close friends that have passed away. One of the sections in this piece I thought of as a microtonal theme from a spaghetti western – perhaps written by the unlikely film composer Morton Feldman. Spoiler alert – while mostly slow and meditative, the work has an unexpected explosive add-on section at the end.

Reviews
Read reviews for Gymnopédies Nos. 3-7/Kiki Wearing Tasha

Availability
Plurabelle Music Publishing

World Premiere
April 23, 2017, The Longy School of Music, Boston

Notable Performances

June 21, 2019, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble