I have often written
miniatures for special occasions: solo pieces, choral tributes, cabaret songs,
pieces for friends, family, anniversaries, birthdays. Composing short pieces
involves a delicate touch, giving an idea room to breathe without cutting it
short, setting an atmosphere while containing the form. A piece usually tells
us its duration moments after the appearance of the first idea - think of a
Chopin etude or Beethoven's Lebe wohl. Moments
is a series of five related miniatures for chamber ensemble. The first movement
is an homage to Mozart's clarinet writing without quotes or parodies, the second
an expansion of a short piece for solo flute written in honour of Kaija Saariaho's
fiftieth birthday, the third a tango with an extra foot in 5/8 time, the fourth
a lyrical moment for solo violin, the fifth is both minimal and erotic, inspired
by the work of British ceramic artist Dan Kelley, a master of small forms.
Moments (2005) was commissioned by Leslie Dala and
the Helikon Ensemble, to whom it is dedicated and who premiered the first three
movements in Vancouver in November, 2003. The complete work was first performed
in by Daniel Warren conducting Ensemble Continuum in Toronto, November, 2005.
Moments was commissioned in part with funds from
the British Columbia Arts Council Music Commissioning Programme and Les Dala.
- Rodney Sharman