This duet is based on rhythms I enjoyed while living many years ago in Mendoza, Argentina. I fell in love with both the people and their culture. A young bassist friend, Sarah Lahasky, traveled to this same mountainous West-Central part of Argentina, researching traditional Mendocino music as part of her PhD studies in Ethnomusicology. She “re-introduced” me to some of the rich rhythms popular in this region. As I explored these, a simple melody came to mind. Other themes soon evolved. Sarah premiered the Contrabass version of Pensive No. 1 on July 6th, 2018, at the KC Bass Workshop with Julie Wheeler on piano. See YouTube video below.
This pieced was re-written for Cello (& Piano) in 2024, and for Tenor Sax and Bassoon in 2025. I thank my composition teacher, Adam Schoenberg, DMA, of Occidental College in L.A., California, for pushing me to accomplish more than I realized I could do.
Parts are provided for the Solo Wind instrument to be Tenor Sax, Bassoon, Cello and Contrabass (high position). The Download File (PDF) contains all 4 Scores and all 4 Parts.
Video of premier at the Kansas City Bass Workshop, performed by Sarah Lahasky (contrabass) and Julie Wheeler (piano) on July 6th, 2018.
Computer Rendition: This AI MP3 file is of the Tenor Sax version of Pensive No. 1. I have displayed the Cello Score, however, as it is in the Key of C. Please download the file above for Scores and Parts.
