Copy of original loaned by William Shannon Stoney.
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The Trio No. 1 for violin, cello, and
piano, a commission by the Old Dominion University Faculty Trio, was completed
in 1988. The ODU Faculty Trio premiered the piece in February of 1989 and
gave three additional performances of it before the end of March that year.
Trio No. 1 consists of three movements, marked Allegro, Lento, and
Allegro. In Dr. Stoney's words: "As composer, I view the first and third
movements (in retrospect) as being optimistic and positive, while the contrasting
slow middle movement is on the pensive side." This piece, composed eighteen
years after his Six Songs of Nature, contrasts greatly to the compositional
style found in the six songs. The tonal centers in the movements
of Trio No. 1 are fairly indistinct and the writing is more esoteric
in general. It is a highly textural and contrapuntal work marked by occasional
tempo and meter changes. Each instrument is put through its paces by being
required to create very controlled, slow melodic lines and also by having
to adeptly play florid passagework. Trio No. 1 is a challenging
and and exuberant work which displays artistry and imagination in every
regard.
Copy of original loaned by William Shannon Stoney. |
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