Elegy

Elegy (2006) (4:30) for Violin and Piano. Copyright © Mihai Popean, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

Popean, Mihai. Elegy Op. 11 Revelations No. 3 (2006) (4:30)

Program notes

Opus 11 Revelationsis a triptych containing three works for violin and piano, composed during 2004–2006 and dedicated to violinist Ioana Galu. The triptych captures the history of three different years of music composition style based on composer’s life experiences. The mixture of atonal, Romanian traditional and jazz ideas open up a world of musical expression and color which forms the basis of the three works, with different emphasis on a combination of two musical colors in each work. The violin and the piano share equal importance in the development of the pieces and were intended from the very begining to be in a dialog rather than a solo with accompaniment relationship.

Defined as “a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead,” an elegy was usually seen from the perspective of the one mourning. This elegy, however, is written from the perspective of the one departing. An elegy at the beginning, somehow reminiscent of memories from the native lands of different life seasons, it soon after becomes overwhelmed by strong emotions of utter revolt at the infallible fate of all beings, leading to a powerful resolve to overcome all limitations inherent in the nature of all things ephemeral.

Performances: