CH, CO, US (2014)

ANDY VILLEMEZ

CH, CO, US

a work for solo piano

VMS PUBLICATIONS Cincinnati, OH

Copyright © 2019 by Andy Villemez

http://www.andyvillemez.com

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher

Published by VMS Publications, Cincinnati, OH

First Edition, 2021 ISBN 9798437183052

CH, CO, US for solo piano

by Andy Villemez

About the Piece

“CH, CO, US” originated as a commission from the Ouray Performing Arts Guild and my good friend, Kara Huber. It is dedicated to Dave and Mary Wood from which Ouray County, Colorado has benefited from countless acts of generosity.

While doing research about Ouray, I immediately felt feelings of safety and escape. I recognized Ouray as a physical and emotional haven with a community of people like Dave and Mary Wood that make it unique and welcoming The title of the work is derived from Ouray’s famous nickname “the Switzerland of America.” Each set of letters represents the internationally recognized two letter codes for states and countries.

At its core, “CH, CO, US” is about our individualized yearning for safety in all its forms and the journey we take to find it.

The piece contains three distinct sections. The first establishes a longing for safety along with the first attempts at exploring what that means. The hands are noticeably out of alignment while the melody in the right hand struggles for direction. The melody develops into multiple voices while the left hand ostinato builds energy symbolizing a more profound struggle while experiencing rare and fleeting moments of clarity. The second section combines this longing with a vertical approach that reflects the majesty of the mountains surrounding Ouray. Through more struggle, the second section ends with a climax that combines ideas from each section. At the start of the third section, another feeling of longing begins, but slightly different. The piece concludes with lingering questions and an acceptance of the inability to answer them.

Performance Notes

This piece is meant to invoke a lot of imagery for each listener. In order to encourage audience members to allow the music conjure images, memories, or feelings, the composer recommends all audience members wear a sleep mask (or something similar) so the visual sense is completely cut off, and they are left only with mental images.

,

d e d i c a t e d t o K a r a H u b e r a n d D a ve a n d M a r y Wo o d c o m m i s s i o n e d b y t h e O u r a y P e r f o r m i n g A r t s G u i l d f o r t h e 2 0 1 8 2 0 1 9 D a ve a n d M a r y Wo o d C o n c e r t S e r i e s

* Th e l e f t h a n d s h o u l d b e p l aye d ve r y e ve n l y w i t h o u t e m p h a s i s o n a n y n o t e s u n l e s s s p e c i fi e d

* * Th e r i g h t h a n d r h y t h m d o e s n o t n e e d t o b e e x a c t , ju s t p r o p o r t i o n a l t o t h e i r i n d i c a t e d d u r a t i o n .

* * * I n c a s e yo u a r e t e m p t e d , d o n o t u s e t h e s o f t p e d a l o r u n a c o r d a a t a l l d u r i n g a n y p o r t i o n o f t h e p i e c e