Hexachordal Blues

for violin and piano
(2013)

The name “Hexachordal Blues” refers to the basic pitch materials used in this piece. There are two groups of six notes (2 hexachords) that are used to create melodies. At times, those melodies and the chords accompanying them create an effect similar to dissonant bluesy jazz. Eventually, swinging rhythms are also used to enhance this blues, or jazz effect, but the effect is not consistent throughout the piece. Instead, swinging rhythms and jazz-like dissonances seem to fade in and out of focus as this otherwise “serious” piece of concert music progresses.

(duration ca. 6 minutes)