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Elevation (2006)
Mark Grey (b. 1967)
Elevation was composed in 2006 and given its premiere on July 9, 2006 by Leila Josefowicz at the Colorado Music Festival, with the orchestra conducted by Michael Christie. Tonight’s concert is the first performance on the West Coast. Mark Grey has written the following program notes:
When first approaching the idea of writing a violin concerto I decided to break away from its traditional form. I gravitated towards a work in one movement. The idea of the violin poised over the orchestra was the inspirational spark. The sound of the violin singing above the orchestra was my aspiration. In the opening of the work the solo violin begins with high, descending double-stops while the contrabass and harp help support the soloist in their low register. These types of contrapuntal contrasts are integral to the musical framework.
Thematic streams in the orchestration flow forward while passing melodic material between each other. Like natural streams combining to create a river, the emotion of the work's hopeful message intensifies. As crests are reached, the main theme is exposed and the soloist and orchestra integrate in rhythmic and harmonic unity.
I treat the orchestra and solo violin as vibrant voices integrating and reacting to each other. At various times, turbulent orchestra apexes seduce the solo violin into its fabric and then thrust it back out of its jowls. This course of energy is at its highest point by the end of the work, as if boundless.
Not recorded
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