Contentamento

Contentamento is a work in search of that elusive state of mind called contentment. It explores several different venues before settling for its initial probe and ending with a sense of serenity.

Program Notes

One day the composer was listening to a suite by Johann Graupner and noticed that one of its movements was titled Contentamento. His reaction was something like “Gee! That’s neither a tempo or dance marking that one normally sees in a Baroque suite”. In fact, it’s one he had never seen before in any composition and it got him to consider how he might go about composing a work that reflects the feeling of contentment. The work is structured in a standard five-part arch form (ABCBA) with the final two sections being subtle, yet clear variants of the first two. The work is not about being in a state of contentment throughout, but rather each section is a search for a certain amount of self-satisfaction with full achievement hopefully attained at the end. For contentment in life is a state of mind that comes about after wrestling with every day situations that can cause anxiety until one places emphasis on not allowing them to affect the inner peace the heart desires.

Grade Level: 5
Copyright: 2022
Number of Players: 8-8-5-5-5
Duration: 9:10

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Instrumentation

Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Cello
Contrabass