FIDDLER’S GALAXY (1989)
violin and piano, 13 min.

Fiddler's Galaxy takes its name from the Appalachian town of Galax, Virginia, where a unique style of fiddle playing has existed since the early nineteenth century. I have borrowed bowings, phrases and particular versions of tunes from the Galax area for this composition. The work is in two sections. The first, “Old Time Conventions,” is slow. “Breakdowns,” the second section, is fast, and its tunes are derived from the reels and hornpipes brought by settlers from the British Isles.

Fiddler’s Galaxy was written for violinist Joseph Swenson and pianist Jeffrey Kahane, who premiered it at Weill Hall. Recorded by Sarah Johnson, violin, and Jane Hawkins, piano, on Fiddler’s Galaxy (Albany).