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Program Note
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Something fierce, commissioned in 2019 by violinist Megan Healy, celebrates the memory and legacy of violin virtuoso Maud Powell (1867–1920). While I had previously composed for the violin in chamber and orchestral capacities, I hadn’t yet attempted a solo work that showcases the instrument’s full range and timbral variety. Given the violin’s rich history and repertoire, I was initially intimidated by the project. Seeking to contribute a challenging and idiomatic work to the instrument’s literature, I filled my knowledge gaps by studying masterworks and by developing rudimentary playing skills. Something fierce, unfolding across two related movements, explores and embraces the violin’s many timbral characters.
Given the female-focused nature of Megan Healy’s project—commissioning a cohort of women composers to celebrate the legacy of a trailblazing violin virtuoso—I wanted to choose a title that possesses a distinctly feminine reference. The adjective “fierce” is often employed to describe bold, ambitious women who uncompromisingly pursue their goals and bring about meaningful changes, and this certainly describes Maud Powell. In addition to earning international recognition within a male-dominated field, she served as a tireless advocate for music by women composers and composers of color, and Healy’s project furthers Powell’s remarkable legacy. I’m grateful to Megan for commissioning Something fierce and for advancing female voices within classical music. |
Premiere |
Commissioned by violinist Megan Healy; premiered in spring 2021.
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Recording |
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