Passage (2006)
1. Introduction
2. Trio (The Desert Crossers)
3. Transition into Duet
4. Duet
5. Finale
(movements are performed without pause)
violin, piano; ca. 13:00
Commissioned by the Milwaukee Ballet
Premiere
March 23, 2006
Pasquale Laurino, violin; Andrews Sill, piano
Pabst Theater, Milwaukee
Violinist Martha Walvoord and pianist Nicholas Hutchinson recently recorded Passage as part of an upcoming CD of the complete violin works of Matthew Tommasini for the Centaur Records label entitled American Perspectives.
Complete Live Recording
Martha Walvoord, violin
Nicholas Hutchinson, piano
Crill Auditorium
Point Loma Nazarene Universty
San Diego, CA
Passage is based on photographic images and documented experiences of US/Mexico border crossers. The title refers to both the physical journey immigrants attempt to make across the border as well as the spiritual rite of passage many Latin-Americans associate with the border crossing. The score opens with a "grito," or wail, from the violin which is answered by an original hymn tune in pounding chords from the piano. This hymn theme returns in varied forms throughout the piece as a refrain separated by episodes which portray the action of the narrative. The first episode, "The Desert Crossers," is in the form of a warped Mexican folk tune, portraying the border crossers' fear and trepidation surrounding the physical and spiritual journey. The second episode, "Duet," is an introverted lyrical section, which contrasts documented experiences of border crossers' desperation while trying to cross the surrounding desert and accounts of tranquil "hallucinations" of falling water. In the "Finale" the hymn tune returns for the last time, played softly by the violin. This builds to a majestic climax along with the return of the wailing violin theme. As the journey comes to a close, the piano's hymn chords and the violin's somber wailing fade away, portraying both the experience of those who make it across the border and those who do not.
Performance history
2010
April 25
Bridget Dolkas, violin
Vivian Liu, piano
Connections Chamber Music Series
Encinitas Library; Encinitas, CA
April 23
Bridget Dolkas, violin
Vivian Liu, piano
Connections Chamber Music Series
Murray Center; Mission Viejo, CA
2009
January 25
Martha Walvoord, violin
Nicholas Hutchinson, piano
Iron Recital Hall
University of Texas, Arlington; Arlington, TX
January 23
Martha Walvoord, violin
Nicholas Hutchinson, piano
Norton Visiting Artist Series
University of Oklahoma, School of Music
Pitman Recital Hall; Norman, OK
January 15
Martha Walvoord, violin
Nicholas Hutchinson, piano
Duesenberg Recital Hall
Valparaiso University; Valparaiso, IN
2008
April 25
Martha Walvoord, violin
Nicholas Hutchinson
Crill Performance Hall
Point Loma Nazarene University; San Diego, CA
April 24
Martha Walvoord, violin
Nicholas Hutchinson
French Parlor, Founders Hall
University of San Diego; San Diego, CA
April 23 (west coast premiere)
Martha Walvoord, violin
Nicholas Hutchinson
Composition Lecture Series,
hosted by Paul Chihara
UCLA; Los Angeles, CA
2006
March 26
Pasquale Laurino, violin
Andrews Sill, piano
Milwaukee Ballet at Pabst (Modern Dance Series)
Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI
March 25
Pasquale Laurino, violin
Andrews Sill, piano
Milwaukee Ballet at Pabst (Modern Dance Series)
Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI
March 24
Pasquale Laurino, violin
Andrews Sill, piano
Milwaukee Ballet at Pabst (Modern Dance Series)
Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI
March 23 (premiere)
Pasquale Laurino, violin
Andrews Sill, piano
Milwaukee Ballet at Pabst (Modern Dance Series)
Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI
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