Verve and Velocity (2022–23)
2 (picc). 2. 2 (Eb). 2. / 4. 2. 3. 1. / timp. 3 perc. / hp. / str.
2 (picc). 2. 2 (Eb). 2. / 4. 2. 3. 1. / timp. 3 perc. / hp. / str.
Program Note
Early in my time as a student of John Corigliano, we had a lesson that began with a discussion of what makes good music. Corigliano’s principles were straightforward: clarity, contrast, and drama. Clarity, because music unfolds in time; listeners do not have the luxury of studying a piece in the concert hall as they might a painting in a museum. Contrast, because too much unfamiliar material results in confusion, but too much of the familiar results in boredom. And drama, because—that goes without saying—it’s a performance! As I finished the final year of my Master’s degree under Corigliano, I wanted to write a piece that really zeroed in on these ideas: a brief but dramatic overture full of contrasts that would show I’d taken my teacher’s principles to heart.
Merriam Webster defines verve as “the spirit and enthusiasm animating artistic composition or performance : VIVACITY.” This one little word encapsulates a great deal of what I wanted to capture in the piece. But, I felt that there needed to be more than “Verve” in the title, and “Velocity” was the perfect companion. (The reason should be clear soon enough!)
—Jacob Beranek
Early in my time as a student of John Corigliano, we had a lesson that began with a discussion of what makes good music. Corigliano’s principles were straightforward: clarity, contrast, and drama. Clarity, because music unfolds in time; listeners do not have the luxury of studying a piece in the concert hall as they might a painting in a museum. Contrast, because too much unfamiliar material results in confusion, but too much of the familiar results in boredom. And drama, because—that goes without saying—it’s a performance! As I finished the final year of my Master’s degree under Corigliano, I wanted to write a piece that really zeroed in on these ideas: a brief but dramatic overture full of contrasts that would show I’d taken my teacher’s principles to heart.
Merriam Webster defines verve as “the spirit and enthusiasm animating artistic composition or performance : VIVACITY.” This one little word encapsulates a great deal of what I wanted to capture in the piece. But, I felt that there needed to be more than “Verve” in the title, and “Velocity” was the perfect companion. (The reason should be clear soon enough!)
—Jacob Beranek
