Composer’s Note:

Sprouting from a series of piano pieces that loosely follow the syllabic verse form zanze (introduced by Walden Greenwell via https://poetscollective.org/poetryforms/), Eight Strings, Two Minds, Single Track projects a series of refrains–single-minded attempts to solidify a few strong sonorities–again and again. The “two minds” (Sarita’s and Anna’s) are unified in this search for firm ground.

By the end, the impulse for separate, urgent expression frees up the refrain premise. The last minute or so of the piece tries to fulfill a desire to “say what you feel’ that hadn’t really been ‘allowed’ until late in the game. Thus, you’re in diligent lockstep until you’re not; the music breaks free a bit; you can give it up.

Commissioned by and dedicated to the Sarianna Duo: Sarita Uranovsky, violin; Anna Griffis, viola.