
Donut Music
Donut Music is an extended piece for solo guitar. It was commissioned by Keith Calmes and is on his CD All We Know is Now. The music was inspired by a line in a story written by my granddaughter Eillonwy (then 8 years old): “Sitting in a dark room, eating a chocolate donut.” The music represents a stream of memories, images, and thoughts as one’s life is contemplated over a donut.
The composition is in 9 movements...or bites. The movements have varied lengths, from miniatures to developed pieces, and draw upon various roots-based musical styles including blues, Appalachian, tango, jazz, and samba. Miniature compositions have been an interest to me for many years. Donut Music's imagery gave me an opportunity to have several miniature compositions along with the longer movements. Above all, this piece is meant to be fun and playful -- especially, in how old and new styles are juxtaposed.
Donut Music was premiered by Keith on April 28, 2012 in Swarthmore, PA.
Performers have the freedom to shape this music to their vision and personal style. The score has optional improvisation in movements 2 (blues), 7 (tango), and 9 (samba). In addition, Donut Music can be performed as a complete composition or by using individual movements. I liked the tango in movement 7 so much that I decided to also have it as a separate piece. Besides being performed on guitar, the score (in a lead sheet format) can be easily adapted for other instruments such as piano and small ensembles.
The composition is in 9 movements...or bites. The movements have varied lengths, from miniatures to developed pieces, and draw upon various roots-based musical styles including blues, Appalachian, tango, jazz, and samba. Miniature compositions have been an interest to me for many years. Donut Music's imagery gave me an opportunity to have several miniature compositions along with the longer movements. Above all, this piece is meant to be fun and playful -- especially, in how old and new styles are juxtaposed.
Donut Music was premiered by Keith on April 28, 2012 in Swarthmore, PA.
Performers have the freedom to shape this music to their vision and personal style. The score has optional improvisation in movements 2 (blues), 7 (tango), and 9 (samba). In addition, Donut Music can be performed as a complete composition or by using individual movements. I liked the tango in movement 7 so much that I decided to also have it as a separate piece. Besides being performed on guitar, the score (in a lead sheet format) can be easily adapted for other instruments such as piano and small ensembles.
"I loved Roger Aldridge's Donut Music for its waywardness and its nine small sections or bites."
--Chris Dumigan, Classical Guitar Magazine
--Chris Dumigan, Classical Guitar Magazine