Elixir

Allen Shawns dramatic and dynamic work for string orchestra expands on a single set of motivic ideas through alternating sections of highly contrasting musical characters. This skillfully-crafted composition is rhythmically rigorous and embodies thecomposers compositional self-description: "a lot of my music has tremendous anxiety and intensity." The technical demands of the work are moderately difficult, but the scoring is well-edited and notably idiomatic for string instruments. Firstperformed by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kate Tamarkin. Duration: 12 min