PROGRAM NOTE

The title of the work, Super Viola, is derived from the idea of having a super instrument, a viola section acting as one instrument with many performing parts of the whole texture. The work is a kind of “Viola Concerto” with a leader and eight ensemble players. It is inspired by electricity and like an electrical current, or lightning, the musical lines reflect the immense propulsion and energy derived of this power source. The gestures and musical lines are broken up, like the branching of lightning, and divided and layered amongst the ensemble through geometric shapes on the score, creating the illusion of a “super” instrument or super storm.

PERFORMANCE HISTORY

March 9, 2013: Rice University Viola Ensemble, Rice University

May 6, 2022: Oberlin Conservatory