Natalie’s Book

Violin and piano

9 1/2 minutes

First performed by Roger Zahab and Alastair Stout at the

Sewickley United Methodist Church, Pennsylvania, on May 15th 2005.

In 2005, I wrote a short movement for violin and piano for a younger member of my choir. I became fascinated with the material and composed a further four movements. The piece is a study in the creation of a folk tune. Each movement takes the tune a step further - from its origin as a single pitch to its final stage as a complete melody. However, rather than place the movements in order (i.e  single pitch; melodic gestures; rhythmic ideas;  mixing all the ingredients; final result), I rearranged them into what I think is a much more satisfying (and fun) order.

The folk song Natalie's Book is based on, Peter's Township, was written

as a gift for friends moving into their new home in 2003.

Sound sample - from movement 5 - performed

by Roger Zahab and Alastair Stout.

Sound sample - movement 1 - performed

by Roger Zahab and Alastair Stout.