Scherzo (2020)

for orchestra [2.2.2.2 - 2.2.0.0 - timp - strings]

Duration: 15’

Premiere: September 23, 2023 @ First Ontario Concert Hall, Hamilton, ON

Gemma New (conductor) and The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra

Commissioned by Justin Pambianchi with support from the Canada Council for the Arts

Programme Note:

In celebration of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday, I was commissioned by Canadian-conductor, Justin Pambianchi, to write a new work to be presented during a cycle of Beethoven’s five piano concertos. Taking this theme into consideration, I decided to centre my piece around one of my personal favourite elements of Beethoven’s work – the scherzos from his symphonies.

In writing my own Scherzo, my approach was to not only highlight the traditional structural elements of this form (A-B-A), but to also allude to some famously Beethovenian musical features. There are references to his musical language scattered throughout the piece, including distant horn calls, abrupt interjections, repetitious use of melodic fragments, and distinct rhythmic motifs that could easily be found within Beethoven’s own work.

Traditionally, a scherzo (from the Italian word, meaning “joke” or “jest”) is characterized as being light, playful, and usually quite fast. However, within my own interpretation of this musical form, the “joke” of my scherzo is that it begins incredibly slow and lugubrious. As the piece progresses, the momentum gradually builds, and the distinct Beethovenian elements become increasingly prominent, eventually bursting to the forefront of the musical landscape.

The commissioning of this work was generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.