I'll be the first to admit that this post is a tie-in to my Re-Composing article on Gardner Read (1913-2005), but no matter - we've got a lovely violin piece to talk about. One of the handful of Read works that has been recorded is the lovely 6 Intimate Moods, op. 35 for violin and piano, and the moods include such gems as "Whimsical" and "Hysterical".
(Click for larger view)
The fourth mood is "Coquettish" for violin alone, and is the closest Read ever got to joining the lineage of American classical composers who attempted a fusion of jazz harmonies and moods with classical techniques, including John Alden Carpenter, Paul Bowles and Norman Dello Joio. Even with that statement it's more Stephan Grapelli than Charlie Parker, and possesses a biting humor reminiscent of Bartok. The violin writing is excellent and makes good use of double stops and pizzicatos. I unfortunately couldn't find a recording on YouTube but there is one in the Naxos Music Library that isn't too much better than decent. Could one of my violin friends make a YouTube performance if they're so inclined? I can't see how that could be a bad thing, and the world could use a few more good Gardner Read recordings.
Happy bowing,
PNK
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