Faye-Ellen Silverman
Duplex Variations
Year: 1995
Duration (in minutes): 11'39;
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players, solo instrument with piano, solo string with piano
Instruments: any string, piano, violin
Publisher: Subito Music Corporation
Description: The name “Duplex Variations” comes from the form of the composition. The work has two levels of ideas being varied. The introductory section (level A) comes back twice at the same tempo and with the same pitches, while its accompanying material is varied. The violin accompaniment becomes trills for the second statement; and violin and piano share the theme, surrounded by a newly created countermelody on the third appearance. The tempo and the piano material (stated four times as fast) also return at the start of the coda. The second level (level B) follows each statement of level A. Level B varies a small element of the original A material to build new sections,
The piece is designed to show off both players. Ideas sometimes begin in one instrument, and sometimes in the other. At times, one instrument anticipates the variation of the next. Originally conceived after watching dancers and listening to a recording of Paganini, this is meant to be a high energy, high-spirited work.