SOLO INSTRUMENT - Kontraphunktus (2004) Program Notes
Kontraphunktus was originally commissioned by the Gilmore Festival for Gilbert Kalish as part of the project 'Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Goldberg'. While eighths are played straight in this movement, it explores techniques of stressing and deëmphasizing (or 'ghosting') particular notes in a passages. Its point of departure is the fourth measure of Bach's theme, which is transformed, metrically expanded and treated minimally in a drive toward its final iteration as a grand and funky baroque mordent.