Remembering

About

Reminiscing
Reminiscing opens with a solitary violin melody that sets the scene for the rest of movement. The cello enters and harmonises with the violin melody and piano accompanies with open‐sounding chords. Violin and cello have a conversation about the past and the piano gently intrudes from time to time waiting for its turn to speak. As the memories grow stronger and more poignant, the tension in the music grows and a restless bass rhythm injects a new mood to the music. The tension builds through octave melody and the dynamic rises in an anthem‐like melody. The opening theme returns with the violin, the cello joins and soon the piano returns offering solace and hope. The music moves towards its ending with dignity and solidarity in a much more gentle frame of mind. The strings are echoing a final melody at the completion of the music.

Solitude
The slow thoughtful melody of Solitude played by the cello and supported by the tender piano accompaniment is the central theme of the Solitude. The cello often takes the melody as its instrumental range is suited to the haunting theme of this movement. The melody moves through the other instruments at times, nearly always with support from the other instruments. The sections end with a perfect cadence which creates stability and firmness throughout. The dynamic is quiet with the melody rising and falling dynamically. There are moments for each instrument, but the melodies often gently intertwine. Short bursts of pizzicato from the strings lighten the texture at times. The main theme returns in different keys and instrumentation. The piano has the opportunity to sing the melody. It has a tender echoing motif at the end that plays out with echoes from the strings who complete this movement with an echoing motif not dissimilar to the end of movement one.

Celebration
Celebration opens with a confident rhythmical introduction played by the piano. The piano has centre‐stage until the violin and cello find their voices. The melodic ideas are flavoured by modal sounds and catchy rhythms almost like a barn dance. The violin enters with the same rhythmic melody as the piano and the piano reverts to accompanying with punchy staccato chords. The violin and cello compete for attention and moving between bowed playing and pizzicato creating contrast. The mood is light‐ hearted, and the sense of celebration never far away. The cello plays a foot tapping motif, perhaps for the dancers? The music has the characteristics of a spirited dance. The foot‐tapping rhythms is maintained right till the end where piano and strings echo a short motif at the end, similar to movements one and two.

– Anna Cannon