Paul Novak - entwining (2021) for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano

entwining (2021) for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano

Recorded June 2021 by Music from Copland House
Moran Katz, clarinet
Pala Garcia, violin
Alexis Gerlach, cello
Margaret Kampmeier, piano

One of the preoccupations of my music in the last several years has been miniature forms. I’m drawn to short, unassuming pieces which contain entire musical worlds, and to tiny structures which are nevertheless immersive and finely detailed. entwining is a set of three interlocking miniatures which are very different but nevertheless subtly unified. The first movement is a colorful swirl of motion; the second a shimmering meditation; and the third a gentle and luminous dance. The title entwining refers to the complex orchestrational ways that the performers converge and interlock musically through the piece. This focus—on the collaborative, social aspects of performing chamber music together— feels especially resonant for a piece written during the COVID-19 pandemic and recorded during a virtual residency.

entwining was commissioned by Copland House for its CULTIVATE 2021 emerging composers’ institute, and was premiered by the Music from Copland House ensemble. CULTIVATE 2021 fellowships and commissions were funded by the Amphion Foundation, ArtsWestchester, ASCAP Foundation, BMI Foundation, Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, Friends of Copland House, Jandon Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, NewMusicUSA, and New York State Council on the Arts.