Editor’s Note:

Corsica is part of a group of works by Earl Louis Stewart for solo instrument (usually flute), harp, and strings, written in the early 2000s and recorded together on the album From the Heart. They are emblematic of his lush melodies and rich, deceptive harmonies; many have cadenza-sections outlined with chords, for improvisation.

Here, fifteen years later, Stewart has codeified Corsica with more detail in the score and with Stewart’s own written-out improvisation. This version, for viola and piano, changes the accompaniment substantially to suit the colors of the two instruments; it is, however, still playable with the full orchestral version.