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Etudes and Diversions is a set of variations for a solo string instrument. The performance presented here is realized by a violoncello. The work is separated into three movements. Etude One (the source for the remaining etudes) was originally written as an organ pedal exercise, where I imagined that the pedal board was a huge mbira, or thumb piano. The middle movement, Diversions, is a group of etudes that don't behave. They exhibit rondo forms and explore the source etude in a freer manner. Their inclusion in the work accomplished two things; (1) provide a contrast to the fairly intense etudes and (2) provide a large ternary shape for the piece.
I. Etudes (Duration 4:12)
II. Diversions (Duration 5:02)
III. Etudes Resumed (Duration 6:14)
Recorded: Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, Appleton, Wisconsin, February, 2003. Lori Meyer, violoncello (The work is dedicated to her). Larry Darling, Recording Engineer. Violin and viola versions of Etudes and Diversions remain unperformed.
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