Rocket and Folklore, Quest: New Music for Violin and Cello (Albany, TROY 1233)
Fanfare 34:5 May/June
Excerpt 1:
World premiere recordings of six new works by five unfamiliar (to me, at least) composers: Ah, the joy of discovery afforded by being a Fanfare reviewer! I am happy to report at the outset that this batch of new works has made this particular voyage of discovery a pleasant one, for the music is invariably arresting and interesting.
Excerpt 2:
John Allemeier is also a product of the University of Iowa, having received his Ph.D. there. He teaches theory and composition at the University of North Carolina (Charlotte). Rocket was written in an attempt to overcome the textural limitations of two stringed instruments through creation of full, rich sonorities. This the composer has splendidly achieved through copious use of open strings, double-stops and arpeggios that sometimes span two full octaves. These latter are used to good effect as accompanimental devices. The title suggests the rocket-like increase in intensity that occurs during the course of the work, which concludes with a brilliant climax using the extremes of the range of the violin. Allemeier’s second work, Folklore, uses performances styles suggestive of folk instruments; much of the cello accompaniment is this work suggests finger-picking on the guitar, as it supports a long, soaring melody on the violin. A middle section features long contrapuntal lines that form a conversation between the two instruments, and the work concludes with a reiteration of the opening material.
-David DeBoor Canfield
Fanfare 34:5 May/June
Excerpt 1:
World premiere recordings of six new works by five unfamiliar (to me, at least) composers: Ah, the joy of discovery afforded by being a Fanfare reviewer! I am happy to report at the outset that this batch of new works has made this particular voyage of discovery a pleasant one, for the music is invariably arresting and interesting.
Excerpt 2:
John Allemeier is also a product of the University of Iowa, having received his Ph.D. there. He teaches theory and composition at the University of North Carolina (Charlotte). Rocket was written in an attempt to overcome the textural limitations of two stringed instruments through creation of full, rich sonorities. This the composer has splendidly achieved through copious use of open strings, double-stops and arpeggios that sometimes span two full octaves. These latter are used to good effect as accompanimental devices. The title suggests the rocket-like increase in intensity that occurs during the course of the work, which concludes with a brilliant climax using the extremes of the range of the violin. Allemeier’s second work, Folklore, uses performances styles suggestive of folk instruments; much of the cello accompaniment is this work suggests finger-picking on the guitar, as it supports a long, soaring melody on the violin. A middle section features long contrapuntal lines that form a conversation between the two instruments, and the work concludes with a reiteration of the opening material.
-David DeBoor Canfield