The Sonata for Cello and Piano was commissioned by my dear friends Julia Haager, piano and Kirill Kalmykov, cello (Duo Polaris). To discuss what they had in mind, my wife Susan and I met them for dinner one evening, and the topic of conversation was travel, more specifically, their travels in Spain, the Middle East and Greece. At the end of the evening, Kirill asked if I would write a piece for them, and I said, “Sure.” The sonata started out as a one-movement work, but at Susan’s suggestion, I added the second and third.

The first movement, named “Poem” by Kirill because of its narrative quality, is in sonata form and was definitely influenced by our dinner discussions.

“Chant (for Peace)” was inspired by an Arab Orthodox chant that Julia and Kirill sent me. Click here for a link to the You Tube video of the chant.

“Dance” takes themes from the first two movements and sets them in busy boisterous rhythms from Eastern Europe.

This is a recording of Duo Polaris’ brilliant performance at a Spotlight Series recital at the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts, Mount Royal University on October 16, 2016.

 

Sonata for Cello and Piano (2014)

Poem

 

Chant (for Peace)

 

Dance