For Bob

For Bob. arranged for Viola and Piano. First performed by Elisabeth Smalt and Kevin Volans, London 2016.

Composers Note:

I have no idea where this piece came from and how it is structured. Butbeforeand after I wrote it I was nagged by the question: what does the Viola have to do with the Piano? 

Did this combination evolve by unfortunate accident? The Viola was perfected in the 18th century. Itsnaturalmétier is (private) chamber music. The Piano on the other hand kept growing and blossomed in the 19th century as the ultimate public instrument. If the piano is to play with the Viola, it has to rein back its powerand poseas an accompanist. 

Maybe a third instrument, perhaps from the 20th century, is needed to mediate between these two very different sound worlds. So when we play this ‘trio’ with 2 instruments Iinvitethe listener to mentally add the silent part(ner).

- Kevin Volans