Trotte Vieille

My musical language comprises an eclectic mix of expressive lyricism, humour and terse formalism, often closely juxtaposed. Trotte Vieille is a Premier Grand Cru Bordeaux, shared by me, the performer and our spouses in the summer of 1993. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the piece itself, a quirky set of miniatures constructed around the set {012569}. My intent was to create a set of pieces, some of which could be played by themselves (#’s 3, 5, 8, 9, 11) and some which would act as prelude, interludes and postlude. The movements vary in length — six notes (#6) to three pages (#3) — style, technique and language.

Trotte Vieille was first performed by Janine Gaboury-Sly on March 26, 1997 at the Fairchild Recital Hall at Michigan State University. I don’t have a recording from that premiere or from Janine’s subsequent performances. The excerpts below come from Patrick Cauthers’ graduating recital at the University of Ottawa, On April 13, 2014.