Pax impotens
Complete Work Title:
Pax impotens
Performance Medium:
string quartet
Duration:
6:00
Date Composed:
March 1989
Movements:
in two movements
Additional Information:
- Composed as part of the doctoral qualifying examination at Indiana University.
- Recorded performance presented at Tigertail Productions “New from Abroad” Listening Room, September through December 1991, at the 21st Annual Bienal of São Paulo, Brazil.
Recording:
Jeffrey Howard, violin I; David Volfe, violin II; Stanley Weldy, viola; Robert Peck, violoncello. Performed 26 October 1989, Indiana University (Bloomington, IN).
Score:
Program Note:
Pax impotens was composed in March of 1989 as one of two documents for the doctoral qualifying examinations at Indiana University. The work was first performed at Indiana University on 26 October 1989.
Acting as a quasi-introduction, the brief first movement is structurally somewhat rhapsodic and is characterized by a gradual refinement of the basic raw materials presented in the opening. The final section contains references to elements within the following movement. By contrast, the second movement is tightly structured, and consists of a solo line that is continuously passed throughout the ensemble, sporadically accompanied by a meandering filigree-like texture in the remaining trio.
Performance/Broadcast History:
| Date | Venue | Location | Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 October 2001 | University of North Texas | Denton, TX | Igor Borodin, violin I; Danielus Kaplunas, violin II; Susan Dubois, viola; Debbie Brooks, violoncello |
| 7 March 1993 | radio broadcast on WRR-FM, sponsored by Texas Composers Forum | Dallas, TX | Jeffrey Howard, violin I; David Volfe, violin II; Stanley Weldy, viola; Robert Peck, violoncello. |
| 21 September through10 December 1991 | “New from Abroad” Listening Room—21st Bienal Internacional de São Paulo | São Paulo, Brazil | Jeffrey Howard, violin I; David Volfe, violin II; Stanley Weldy, viola; Robert Peck, violoncello. |
| 26 October 1989 | Indiana University | Bloomington, IN | Jeffrey Howard, violin I; David Volfe, violin II; Stanley Weldy, viola; Robert Peck, violoncello. |