distant reflections
Duration ca. 11' (2003)
solo vln/str/pf
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Premiered by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jonathan Leshnoff, soloist Charles Wetherbee, Columbus, OH, September 6, 2003.
Other performances: Baltimore Chamber Orchestra conducted by Markand Thakar, soloist Charles Wetherbee, Towson, MD, October 16, 2006.
The music of Jonathan Leshnoff (b. 1973) falls squarely in the middle of contemporary American romanticism. Its melodic lines are quite distinct, its harmonics balanced, its depth given by the composer’s mastery of both counterpoint and colorful orchestration. Though richly tonal, this is music quite distinct from anything else that’s out there at the moment.
—Strings Magazine, June 2009
PROGRAM NOTE
During my graduate studies, I took a class in the music of Johannes Ockeghem, a 15th century Franco-Flemish composer. As I studied his music, I found myself dreaming about Ockeghem’s world: the lack of electricity, the quiet woods, quaint countrysides, and monarchs. These reflections were pure speculation on my part; nonetheless, I began to “hear” these images in his music, “watching” Ockeghem compose his serene compositions as influenced by his intellectual, political and physical surroundings. Ever since those days, I wanted to incorporate these images – as well as Ockeghem’s haunting and beautiful music – somehow in my own compositions.
These ideas lay dormant until I met Charles Wetherbee. His virtuosity and musical sensitivity kindled the conviction that I would be able to share and work with him in portraying this medieval inspiration. The result is Distant Reflections, my attempt at portraying Ockeghem – and myself - at work in our respective worlds. A pervasive contemplative quality permeates the composition evoking, in my mind’s eye, scenes from a medieval past. Though a contemporary flavor is present, the composition utilizes freely composed chants. Ockeghem’s Missa Prolationum, a chillingly beautiful composition, is quoted in a dreamlike trance. An offstage string quartet is also used to present ideas antiphonally and to add an element of forlorn solitude.
I am happy to announce the long awaited realization of my ideas presented by Charles Wetherbee and artists of high caliber.