John Corigliano

A note from the composer: What to include in a competition piece in 2011? One could write a virtuoso étude or a lyrical essay: but the judges will have dozens of pieces that demonstrate these virtues. I thought amore interesting piece would test a performer’s imagination intelligence and musicality by offering interesting new problems to solve. Hence this unaccompanied six-minute study I call Stomp. Stomp poses its player three problems; of ear style and coördination. First the violin’s outer two strings are tuned to non-standard pitches. This mis-tuning (scordatura) deepens theinstrument’s range and replaces the usual perfect fifths between strings with grating dissonances high and low. Second the piece is modeled not on classical precedents but on American fiddle music — bluegrass andjazz. And third as in fiddle playing the violinist must periodically stomp with his or her foot along with the music. So Stomp demands a theatrical mind an unerring ear and a delight in makingmusic with the entire body. It is supposed to be fun for the audience and a workout for the soloists. I can’t wait to hear them play it.

Chaconne for Violin and Orchestra-This work draws upon the music the composer wrote for the film 'Red Violin'. This version is for Violin and Piano.

Set of Parts-This string quartet was commissioned by the Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts for the Cleveland Quartet.

Score and Parts-This string quartet was inspired by a photo of Corigliano's father playing a violin and his uncle playing the guitar. It was commissioned by the Elements String Quartet and premiered in November 2003 at Merkin Concert Hall inNew York City.

This work although dedicated to his parents was much despised by Corigliano???s father. In fact his father discouraged any attempts at composition. This work composed in 1963 augurs much to come in the development of his compositional style. The piece won first prize in the 1964 Spoleto Festival Competition for Creative Arts (Walter Piston and Samuel Barber were on the panel).