Introduction and Allegro Energico

Fughetta

Autumn Song

Cadenza and Dance

This work was begun in the autumn of 1980 and completed in February, 1981. It is dedicated to the two sisters, Maureen and Hazel Smith.

It takes its title from the virtuose demands of the two violin parts, which are designated in the score as violin square and violin circle, so as to suggest their exactly equal importance in the composition.

The Concertino is in four movements. In the Introduction, the piano and strings alternate and then combine in four-part counterpoint. The Allegro Energico is an extended movement in sonata form; the basic tonality is G Dorian; the first subject, allegro energico, is in 4/4 + 5/4 time; the three second subjects are each in slightly different slower tempi. After the development section all four subjects are recapitulated but in a different order. The Fughetta comprises an exposition, two episodes and a stretto maestrale. Two bars of coda, developed from the introduction, end the movement. In the Autumn Song, after an introduction an extended melody appears twice, separated by a contrasted middle section. The short Cadenza leads to the finale, a lively Dance, based on an English 16th century dance tune.