chamber orchestra - Three Rivers (2001) Program Note
The three rhythmic currents in "Three Rivers" at times flow separately, and at other times concurrently; often they mix and collide. The opening lugubrioso material is linear, and its musical shapes should yield approximate contours rather than distinct melodies. The rhythm of this opening section in the low instruments is swung, felt behind the beat. The eighth note stays constant into the second section of smoother, cascading rhythms. The third, most frenetic rhythmic level, is felt in straight sixteenth notes. The triplet sixteenth notes in the fast bop section are also felt as swung. This is a piece which combines fully notated and improvised music.