The first movement of this piece was written in 2003 and entitled Gridley Paige Road. This nostalgic Adagio was inspired in part by memories of my childhood years living on that rural road, set amid farmland, woods and fields in central New York state. The movement was premiered by the Avalon String Quartet, May 2003 at Merkin Concert Hall (NY).
In 2005 I added three more movements to the piece. Although this music does not convey any specific narrative, it does have a discernible emotional progression, and I reflected upon real-life events and experiences while writing it. I suppose in this sense I have followed many past composers in considering the string quartet as a particularly intimate and personal genre. The complete quartet was premiered at Merkin, April 2005 by members of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE). 25’.
In 2007 I orchestrated the first movement of this piece for string orchestra. This arrangement was the Grand Prize Winner and People's Choice Winner in the 2007 Adagio Competition of the Fauxharmonic Orchestra. You can visit the orchestra's website to listen to a recording of this string orchestra piece and contribute to the People's Choice Award.
Movement I, Gridley Paige Road, excerpt (Avalon String Quartet)
Movement II, excerpt (Members of ICE)
Movement III, excerpt (Members of ICE)
Movement IV, excerpt (Members of ICE)