Holly Kordahl
Piano

Doctoral Recital Series
Katzin Concert Hall
Sunday, October 29, 2017 • 12:00

ARIZONA

STATE

UNIVERSITY

School of Music

Program
French Suite No. 5 in G Major
I. Allemande
II. Courante
III. Sarabande
IV. Gavotte
V. Bourree
VI. Loure
VII. Gigue

Pacific Suite (2016), by Holly Kordahl, is a four-movement work for solo
piano that incorporates elements of several musical idioms, including
Johann Sebastian Bach impressionism, tintinnabuli, post-modern quotation, minimalism and
(1685-1750) improvisation. The work features varying levels of performer
independence and improvisation. Each movement of Pacific Suite is
based on aspects of the Pacific Ocean that inspire a sense of awe: the
Great Barrier Reef, the Mariana Trench, the Sunlit Zone, and Bikini
Atoll.

The inspiration for the first movement is the world's largest coral reef,
the Great Barrier Reef. This habitat is full of different species of plant
Ludwig van Beethoven and animal life, with an abundance of activity and bustle. The movement
Adagio espressivo
(1770-1827) is also an expression of the majesty of nature.

Sonata in E Major, Op. 109
I. Vivace ma non troppo II. Prestissimo
III. Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung

The second movement represents the Mariana Trench, the deepest point
in the Pacific Ocean. The tone of the movement is evocative of the dark,
peaceful abyss of the deep ocean. The Mariana Trench features tectonic
plates undergoing subduction, which is a method through which new
**There will be a JO-minute intermission**
material is brought from the Earth's mantle to create volcanoes and
islands. This movement is almost entirely improvised using given
Sechs Klavierstiicke, Op. 118
Johannes Brahms instructions.
(1833-1897)
I. Intermezzo
The third movement is inspired by the sparkle, waves and joie de vivre of
II. Intermezzo
the sunlit zone, the uppermost, brightest slice of ocean where the
III. Ballade
majority of ocean creatures live. The performer has an opportunity to
IV. Intermezzo
improvise on a beloved theme of Debussy.
V. Romanze
VI. Intermezzo

Pacific Suite
I. Great Barrier Reef
II. Mariana Trench
III. Sunlit Zone
IV. Bikini Atoll

The fourth movement portrays the disquiet and danger of the threat of
Holly Kordahl nuclear warfare. Bikini Atoll, a set of islands in the Pacific, was the site
(b. 1985) of numerous nuclear tests in the 1940s and 1950s. The movement
features birdsong, cathedral bell tones, chant-like melody and themes
from earlier movements.

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Out of respect for the performers and those audience members around you, please turn
all beepers, cell phones and watches to their silent mode. Thank you.