Violin Duet (2006)

Program Notes:

This violin duet is inspired by two musical cultures that have figured prominently in my musical life. The first movement's harmonics over drones are inspired by the Central-Asian art of throat singing and by music for the igil (spike fiddle) from Tuva. It is titled "Izig Shai" which means "Hot Tea" in the Tuvan language. To continue the culinary metaphors, the second movement is named "Blintzes," due to the inspiration from eastern European Jewish klezmer music, and due to its cheesy middle section. It is in a modified rondo form, with the last appearance of the theme punctuated by exhortations of "Lebedik!" Which means "lively!" in yiddish.