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11 Short Pieces for Violin and Vibraphone: Violin Book

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11 Short Pieces for Violin and Vibraphone Cover Image
11 Short Pieces for Violin and Vibraphone: Violin Book

11 Short Pieces for Violin and Vibraphone: Violin Book

By Charles Wuorinen

Level: Intermediate

Item: 98-EP68143
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Description
Eleven Short Pieces for Violin and Vibraphone, written by Charles Wuorinen in the summer of 2006, was commissioned by the New York Miniaturist Ensemble. No more than two minutes and 101 notes altogether, the longest of these short and shorter pieces fills three measures. Most are a single measure, each with its own sound world. The Boston Musical Intelligencer described all eleven as 'one not-too-short piece.'

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Additional Details
Series: Edition Peters
Publisher: EDITION PETERS
ISBN10: 0-30075-054-5
ISBN13: 979-0-30075-054-5
UPC: 9790300750545
SKU: 98-EP68143

More about this title

About the Composer: Charles Wuorinen

Charles Wuorinen (1938–2020) was an American composer whose prolific output spanned six decades and nearly 300 works across all genres. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and MacArthur Fellow, Wuorinen was deeply engaged with both composition and music education throughout his career, holding faculty positions at Columbia University and other institutions where he mentored generations of composers.

Wuorinen's approach to miniature forms reflected his conviction that musical ideas need not require extended duration to achieve complete expression. His ability to compress complex harmonic and textural thinking into brief, self-contained pieces made him a distinctive voice in contemporary chamber music, particularly valued by ensemble directors seeking substantive yet accessible modern repertoire.

Why we love this

These eleven pieces offer something rare: genuinely modern composition that remains playable at the intermediate level without sacrificing artistic ambition. Each piece occupies its own sonic territory, which means violinists encounter genuine variety in just a few minutes of music. For recitals or chamber concerts, this collection delivers contemporary credentials with immediate musical payoff.

What to expect

Eleven distinct sonic landscapes compressed into stark, brief statements. Wuorinen constructs each piece as a complete world unto itself, often with just a few measures to establish character, gesture, and closure. The result feels neither fragmentary nor rushed, but rather essential and precise.

Who it's for

Intermediate violinists seeking exposure to contemporary music and musicians comfortable with extended techniques or unconventional notation. This collection works well for players building confidence in modern chamber music or preparing for recitals that program 21st-century works.

How to get the most out of it

  • Study each piece independently first, then as a sequence. The variety of character and approach demands fresh listening and interpretation with each new micro-form.
  • Coordinate carefully with the vibraphone player on articulation and resonance, especially in passages where the instruments' attack and sustain characteristics need precise alignment.
  • Use Wuorinen's sparse textures as an opportunity to project tone color with intentionality. These pieces reward nuanced dynamic control and timbral awareness.

How to use it

Program these pieces as a unified set during a contemporary music concert or chamber recital, allowing the variety to sustain listener interest while introducing a single compositional voice. Alternatively, draw individual pieces for mixed-repertoire programs where you want contemporary representation without extended performance time.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading modern notation and unconventional beaming patterns
  • Extracting complete musical ideas from minimal material
  • Coordinating rhythmically complex passages with a multi-percussion partner
  • Shaping articulation and dynamics across frequent textural shifts
  • Building interpretive decisions based on sparse compositional indicators

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