Death of September

Summer days all too quickly pass and leave bittersweet memories.  The opening of this piece features a playful, spirited melody and a mingling texture comprised of two overlapping time signatures (9/8 and 4/4).  Just as the rhythms are at their most complex, the piece grinds to a halt.  September has ended.  The piano, alone now, reflects on the passing of that last month of beautiful summer weather.  As the violin re-enters the rhythms slowly become more syncopated in an attempt to mimic the opening melody in a new setting as we would reminisce about summer and try to regain those moments.    

This is a recording that I commissioned in the summer of 2008. The performers are Michael Cummings, Violin, Matthew Quayle, piano.