Vivian Fine

 

Compositions

***

 

Toccatas and Arias for Harpischord


year

1986


duration

10 ½ minutes


commission

Barbara Harbach


première

February 9, 1987, State University of New York at Buffalo, Barbara Harbach, harpsichord


recording

20th Century Harpsichord Music, Vol II,” Barbara Harbach, harpsichord, Gasparo GSCD-266.  Also available on demo CD


movements

Toccata I
Aria I
Toccata II
Aria I
Toccata III


program notes

Toccatas and Arias for Harpsichord was composed in July, 1986 for Barbara Harbach as a meditiation on Baroque forms, in which the mingling of linear elements produces the harmonic relationships. The first Toccata is based on baroque style toccatas. Both Arias are in song form and feature inverted counterpoint. The short second Toccata is the only one which has a chordal pivotal point. It features such varying meters as 13/16, 5/8, 5/16 and9/8. The last movement uses a fascinating techinque of instant replay, with each repetition a half step apart and interspersed with arpeggiated triadic chords.

–liner notes to Gasparo CD


reviews

“The work…is bracing and brisk, playful and clear….Ms. Fine’s music emphasizes the play of the mind; not to discount the fresh harmonic relationships she gets from lines mingling…..There is no built-in response to her music; it is not trading on some well-used emotion…I think Ms. Fine’s music really belongs on the harpsichord; it suits her clear and lively pieces.”

–Thomas Putnam, The Buffalo News, August 10, 1987


audio files

Toccata I