Andrew_Norman_at_2014_Cabrillo_Festival_of_Contemporary_Music

''Split'' is a fantasy for solo

piano A piano is a keyboard instrument that produces sound when its keys are depressed, activating an Action (music), action mechanism where hammers strike String (music), strings. Modern pianos have a row of 88 black and white keys, tuned to a c ...

and

orchestra An orchestra (; ) is a large instrumental ensemble typical of classical music, which combines instruments from different families. There are typically four main sections of instruments: * String instruments, such as the violin, viola, cello, ...

by the American composer Andrew Norman. The work was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic for the pianist Jeffrey Kahane. It was first performed in David Geffen Hall,

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on December 10, 2015, by the New York Philharmonic and Jeffrey Kahane under the conductor James Gaffigan.

Composition

''Split'' has a duration of roughly 25 minutes and is composed in one continuous movement.

Reception

''Split'' has received a very positive response from music critics. Reviewing the world premiere, George Grella of the ''New York Classical Review'' called the piece "a stellar work" and a worthy companion to Norman's 2013 symphony ''

Play Play most commonly refers to: * Play (activity), an activity done for enjoyment * Play (theatre), a work of drama Play may refer also to: Computers and technology * Google Play, a digital content service * Play Framework, a Java framework * P ...

'', adding, "''Split'' is less manic than playful, and by repeating material that, if stitched together in linear form would make a long, connected line, the piece coheres through an accumulating collection of events." Grella continued, "It was a dazzling listen and great fun throughout. Kahane and the orchestra played with great agility and energy. This is music that showcases smarts as much as chops and the performance made every detail of composition and orchestration clear, even as things happened fast and furiously." Justin Davidson of '' New York'' lauded the piece for "a personality that feels, if not exactly unified, at least reassuringly whole." He remarked: Anthony Tommasini of ''

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'' called the piece "audacious, exhilarating and, in a way, exhausting" and wrote: In addition to praising the performance, Tommasini nevertheless added:

References

{{Andrew Norman Compositions by Andrew Norman 2015 compositions Contemporary classical compositions Compositions for piano and orchestra Music commissioned by the New York Philharmonic