Joseph Turrin

Symmetries

Symmetries' for two pianos was written in March, 2003 in memory of William Russo, composer, music educator and friend who lived and worked in Chicago and had a deep love and understanding of both music and people. Commissioned by pianists Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem, and funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Premiered in July 2003 at the Music Institute of Chicago in Evanston, Illinois/USA. The work is in one movement, about five minutes in duration, and divided into three sections. The overall thematic structure consists of short melodic motifs, which develop and grow into larger shapes. These shapes are sometimes inverted, mirrored, or transposed as they make their journey through both pianos. I wanted to write something exciting and challenging which utilized the minimum amount of musical material yet was capable of growth and contrast. This material is shared between both players in a more or less symmetrical fashion giving balance and form throughout. Joseph Turrin, Nov. 2010, Clifton, USA