Blue Inflections

for unaccompanied violin
(2018)

This suite is called Blue Inflections because each piece is inspired by a different genre of blues-inflected music. Without being an actual blues song, the prelude captures the general expression of a slow lamenting blues. Its gestures, chords and rhythms also serve as primal elements that will influence the following pieces. The lighter rhythmic feel of the second movement, Swing and Syncopation, modifies those elements with inspiration found mostly in the quirky and pungent piano music of Thelonious Monk. The third movement, Blue Electric, is based on the energy of mid 20th-century rock and roll, while the fourth, Quiet Interludes sounds like improvised blues singing over a gentle guitar riff. Finally, Metallic Sheen finishes the suite with music inspired by the loud and fast energy of a virtuoso rock guitarist.

(Duration ca. 15 - 16 minutes)