ELEGY FOR STRINGS (1991)
string orchestra, string quartet or string quintet, 11 min.

Elegy for Strings began as the second movement of a string quartet. It was written in memory of Jan DeGaetani, the American mezzo-soprano, whom I knew during the last several years of her life. In 1987 she and pianist Gilbert Kalish performed my song cycle Worldly Hopes, which was written for them. The piece begins with a viola solo based on her name: D-E-G-A-E. This motto is used throughout the work. The elegy is primarily a slow aria with several themes, sometimes growing into more agitated moments. In arranging the movement for string orchestra I added a double bass line and designated some solo passages and double stops, yet the music remains the same as in the quartet.

Published by Peermusic Classical.