Official site of composer Andrea Clearfield. Biography, list of works with audio, score samples, reviews and program notes, photographs, upcoming performances.
Scored for: piano solo Duration: 5 min. Premiere: April 29, 2018 at Settlement Music School, 416 Queen Street in Philadelphia, PA. Commissioned by: Network for New Music in honor of Linda Reichert’s tenure as artistic director. Published by: Self-published, Angelfire Press
Contact Andrea Clearfield for score and parts:
“Andrea Clearfield played her Widening Circles, with its Ravel-like haunts and echoes and, indeed, the suggestion of ripples moving through water. ”
– Peter Dobrin
PROGRAM NOTES
Widening Circles was commissioned by Network for New Music in honor of Linda Reichert’s 34 year
tenure as artistic director. The premiere performance took place on April 29, 2018 at Settlement Music School,
416 Queen Street in Philadelphia, PA.
This piece draws its name from a Rainer Maria Rilke poem that begins, “I live my life in widening circles that reach out across the world”
as Linda’s visionary work with Network for New Music will continue to expand outwards through all of
the musicians, listeners, students and composers whom she has touched.
The recurring theme of the work is crafted from the vowels of Linda’s name, a Renaissance technique known as sogetto cavato. The resulting simple motive
is heard in variation, with related gestures opening out in both directions.
The piece is essentially about caught stillness and resonance – what ineffable beauty and value we
may leave in the world. Soft humming by the pianist of indicated pitches in the score, and quickly
released piano accents caught in the pedal provide a special resonant sound, as do the long silent pauses.
The work concludes with a gentle statement of the full theme followed by a quiet return to constancy
with a long held tone.
With heartfelt gratitude to Linda Reichert for all the gifts that she has given me and the music community in
Philadelphia and beyond.
- Andrea Clearfield
Widening Circles
Scored for: piano solo
Duration: 5 min.
Premiere: April 29, 2018 at Settlement Music School, 416 Queen Street in Philadelphia, PA.
Commissioned by: Network for New Music in honor of Linda Reichert’s tenure as artistic director.
Published by: Self-published, Angelfire Press
Contact Andrea Clearfield for score and parts:
See preview score pages: Widening Circles (sample pages)
WATCH
REVIEW: The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 30, 2018:
“Andrea Clearfield played her Widening Circles, with its Ravel-like haunts and echoes and, indeed, the suggestion of ripples moving through water. ”
– Peter Dobrin
PROGRAM NOTES
Widening Circles was commissioned by Network for New Music in honor of Linda Reichert’s 34 year
tenure as artistic director. The premiere performance took place on April 29, 2018 at Settlement Music School,
416 Queen Street in Philadelphia, PA.
This piece draws its name from a Rainer Maria Rilke poem that begins, “I live my life in widening circles that reach out across the world”
as Linda’s visionary work with Network for New Music will continue to expand outwards through all of
the musicians, listeners, students and composers whom she has touched.
The recurring theme of the work is crafted from the vowels of Linda’s name, a Renaissance technique known as sogetto cavato. The resulting simple motive
is heard in variation, with related gestures opening out in both directions.
The piece is essentially about caught stillness and resonance – what ineffable beauty and value we
may leave in the world. Soft humming by the pianist of indicated pitches in the score, and quickly
released piano accents caught in the pedal provide a special resonant sound, as do the long silent pauses.
The work concludes with a gentle statement of the full theme followed by a quiet return to constancy
with a long held tone.
With heartfelt gratitude to Linda Reichert for all the gifts that she has given me and the music community in
Philadelphia and beyond.
- Andrea Clearfield