Stallcop: Divertimento
Expected to ship in 1-2 weeks.
- Composer: Glenn Stallcop (1950-)
- Instrumentation: Piano Quartet (Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello)
- Work: Divertimento (2024)
- ISMN:
- Size: 8.9 x 12.0 inches
Description
Composer's Note:
When the Covid pandemic began in March 2020, it was both alarming and novel. Isolating seemed rash but the disease, in its initial surge, was astonishingly lethal. People were dying fast and in large numbers. I was lucky to have built a house on property in Northern Arizona years ago when my children were young, and my wife and I moved there in April.
I wrote a serenade for strings and harp (Serenade in Isolation) which I finished in June of 2020. I touched on the novelty and tragedy of the situation. At the time, I never thought that it would be another 16-17 months before musicians only began to trickle back to work! Those were the longest months imaginable! The Pandemic was difficult for almost everybody, but for artists it was a nightmare. Working from home is difficult, but it is not the same as having your entire profession come to a screeching halt!
A divertimento is a musical form dating from the late 1700's, which was meant to be background music for a social event - a diversion. I use the term ironically and even sarcastically referring to all that time we spent alone looking for something to do!
The first movement, Bedside, was the inspiration for the rest of the piece. It depicts a number of family members emoting at the bedside of a stricken patient. of course, this happened online if it happened at all, and most of those critically ill were intubated and in a coma. The piece therefore bears a resemblance to Charles Ives' Unanswered Question.
One of the first things I gave up when the pandemic hit was going to the gym. I could exercise at home, but many people who relied on classes had to turn to videos for exercise. in Tai Chi Video, the class opens with a ceremonial bow, which is answered and returns throughout the class. Not all the moves are easy.
In Dejá Vu, the opening tenth from Bedside in the piano left hand returns, but this time the patient is a lot more resistant. After two plus years of exposure and vaccination, the outlook improved, but the disease was still quite serious.
With all that time spent by oneself, fantasy became in a Major source of entertainment. It was a fantasy to think that you could actually carry on relationships under the circumstances. in Music Box Fantasy, opening a musical jewelry box triggers just such a fantasy.
The last movement, Resilience, is a tribute to those who stuck it out, especially the caretakers and health care workers, essential service workers, and vulnerable populations. Some people had trouble keeping up the isolation, masking, vaccinations, and careful interaction required, and several people fell grievously ill as a result. Worse yet, a number of people developed a form of the disease that lasted for months or even years. This movement, which is sort of a fantasy invention, repeats and develops a single motive, eventually distilling it down to just three notes. The motive used has actually been slowly evolving throughout the first four movements and is meant to embody the resilience needed to get us through. The Covid experience has been such a long haul.
Divertimento is written for piano quartet in my home near Ash Fork, Arizona, in the spring and summer of 2024. Its five movements last approximately thirty minutes.
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Stallcop: Divertimento
