ABLAZE
solo viola (about 6 minutes)
I composed Ablaze (2013) for violist Diana Mathews, who requested a piece that would be a "show-stopper." The ritornello sections are fast, frantic, and loud, as if on fire. The intervening episodes contrast with the main idea, but there is still an underlying sense of urgency, like embers striving to erupt in a full blaze.
Score available for purchase from J.W. Pepper.
Recording available from Amazon or iTunes.