Spin 5

Instrumentation

violin solo; 1-1-1-1; 2-1-1-1,p(2), hp,pf,vla(2),vc(2),cb(1)

Year

2006

Duration

14:00

Composed

2/26/2006 - 5/26/2006

Dedication

Jennifer Koh and George Steel

Commission

Miller Theatre of Columbia University

SPIN 5 is a concerto for violin and 18 instruments of approximately 14 minutes duration, composed between 26 February and 26 May 2006. The work was written for Jennifer Koh under a commission from the Miller Theater at Columbia University. The cadenza which opens the work testifies to Wuorinen's admiration for this superb young player. Spin 5 is scored for violin solo with flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon; 2 horns, trumpet, trombone, tuba, 2 percussion, harp, piano, 2 violas, 2 celli , and contrabass. The work is divided into five sections: Cadenza, Aria, Scherzo, Aubade and a zippy (quarter note = 160) Finale.

Throughout his career Wuorinen has written many virtuosic works for the violin including two previous concerti with full orchestra: Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra (1983) commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony and the Concerto for Amplified Violin and Orchestra (1972), commissioned by the Fromm Music Foundation for Paul Zukofsky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra (the later issued on a recent Albany CD). In 1988 he completed his Sonata for Violin and Piano, under a commission from the Library of Congress.

-Howard Stokar