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Bagatelle and Little Fugue - (2011)
for violoncello and piano
for Christopher Yo
The long-lined lyricism of the bagatelle -- the first meaning of the word being most apt, a "trifle" -- sings out in a 5/4 meter grouped most usually as 2+3. The simple harmonic structure of the accompaniment is deceptive as the inner moving lines break the diatonic rise by steps across a long arching phrase. The form is essentially three variants on the larger arch with an episode as contrasting texture and harmonic movement.
The fugue begins in the piano, with the cello punctuating with its pizzicato. At the first answer in the dominant the cello takes up gestures from the subject, and thereafter joins in the fugal texture and structure in earnest. The harmonic wandering moves away from the tonic in order to establish it anew later, with a final fugue statements given wholly to the cello.
Christopher Yo
Christopher Yo M.D., Ph.D. is a Diplomate, American Board of Ophthalmology, Eye Physician, Surgeon and Chief of Ophthalmology Department, Kaiser Permanente's Baldwin Park Medical Center. He performs LASIK in southern California, and has proctored resident ophthalmologists at the USC Doheny Eye Institute and local community eye surgeons in LASIK techniques. He also presents his research in Laser Vision Correction in international meetings frequently such as the ASCRS (American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery). Among his admitted hobbies are martial, auto mechanics, and played the cello for over 30 years. For his kindness to my brother this year, I sketched this small appreciation.
5 pages in score, and a total duration of circa 5' 40"
The score is available as a free PDF download, though any major commercial performance or recording of the work is prohibited without prior arrangement with the composer. Click on the graphic below for this violoncello-piano score.
