BODY IN MOTION

Program Notes

The first image that came to me when developing the materials for this new concerto was one of water. I love the way water presents to us a visual tension between the hypnotic, peaceful and (in the case of a windy lake or sea) a sense of constant, fluid motion. I began to think of the both the orchestra and soloist as active natural forces. Often in a concerto the orchestra is conceived in a more static fashion making musical “room” for the soloist. 

Wanting to upend this norm, I strove to create a sense of constant motion in the first movement from both partners.  The title “head above water” was also an early visual image - I pictured a swimmer constantly bobbing in a turbulent sea, trying to catch breaths and survive, and this swimmer became a metaphor for the soloist.

My feelings about Kelly’s artistry were no doubt part of this inspiration. She is an intense, passionate performer, who seems to never wish to sit still artistically, nor shy away from intense effort. I feel a sense of unrest is what haunts most true artists, and in a way, unrest is indicative of all lives lived with meaning.  

In the same way both “breathing” and “running” ill out this picture of life forces. “Breathing” feels like the earth; a plant breaking through the soil to ind sun, or a baby’s first precious breaths, or a bird hatching from the egg. Life moving slowly but deliberately, with the absolute need of breath for sustenance.

As I began my musical life as a jazz trumpet player, a sense of improvisation and dance is apart of much that I compose.  “Running” is one part joyful romp, and another part a more desperate act -perhaps pursuit of prey, or escape from a predator. Here the violin is a jazz soloist, soaring in the sky and skating across a bed of syncopations and counter rhythms from the orchestra.

I'd like to dedicate this work to both Kelly Hall-Tompkins and to my good friend & frequent collaborator Leonard Slatkin who has graciously agreed to conduct the initial performances of the concerto.

– Jeff Beal