About

Play. Aria. Rendezvous. These are the three movements that infuse my double concerto for violin and viola. Although the subtitles suggest the mood of each movement, the piece as a whole is rooted in the tradition of absolute music—a non-programmatic approach where the focus is on the interplay of musical ideas rather than in conveying a specific narrative.

The piece begins with “Play,” where the two solo instruments engage in an energetic dialogue, oscillating between moments of cooperation and playful rivalry. Keen listeners may notice the many variations on the double-perfect-fifth motif that is embedded throughout the movement. A gentle “Aria” follows, though in the middle there is a substantial buildup from a string sextet (two soloists plus the string principles) to the full orchestra. The finale, “Rendezvous,” is a spirited voyage where everyone comes together, only to bid farewell in the same breath. 
©Zhou Tian