forward escape (l'échappée belle) (2021, rev 2025) - for Solo Violin

solo violin

premiered by Sommer Altier, 2025

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forward escape (l'échappée belle) is an exploration of regional Croatian melodies and polyphony for solo violin. The vocal tradition of Klapa, in particular — a responsorial, call and response form of multipart singing — is articulated through a colorful and surprising tonal landscape uniquely suited to the instrument.

With careful consideration toward the physicality of violin playing, a melody in two parts emerges from the natural “shapes” and geometries of the left hand, giving way to a bubbling, drifting, unified vocal texture to conclude the piece.