King Tides The Power of the Sun and the Moon Piano, Violin, Cello
Christina Rusnak
©Copyright 2025, Christina Rusnak Rusnak Music Press, (BMI) All rights reserved, internationally
Photograph by Patricia Davidson ©Copyright 2014, Patricia Davidson
Rusnak Music Press
King Tides Duration ~ 6:30
Notes: King Tide is a term to describe the highest tides of the year. While both the sun and moon influence our tides, the moon’s gravitational pull is about twice as strong than that of the sun. Depending on how far away the sun, moon, and earth respectively are from each other, we experience different tidal forces. When the earth, moon, and sun are in alignment we get a new moon (moon between the sun and earth) and full moon (earth between the moon and sun) resulting in an increase in the gravitational pull. However, when the moon’s position is closest to the earth, defined as a ‘perigee.’ the gravitational pull is greater. So a full or new moon that is at its closest to earth will result in perigean spring tides. These greater tides exhibit spectacularly high waves which crash upon their arrival on western shores. The King Tides draw crowds who are mesmerized by these spectacular forces of nature along our shores. Each year, some individuals get too close to the water and are swept out into the ocean. I included a short section representing the Sirens from the Odyssey, calling to join them in the sea. Unsung Poem for Sirens: Do you want to see? Won’t you come with me? To the wondrous world of the sea? - Christina Rusnak 2025
Performance Notes: Imagine yourselves at the coast in winter watching the crashing waves as they arise from far out in the distance. The piece is one of contrasts, thus the dynamics are directional and not absolute. As always is the case, the performance space can dictate the performers execution. It is to be performed energetically with moments of repose.
Rusnak Music Press http://christinarusnak.com
King Tides
Score
= 72
8
Pno.
L
SA
glis.
E
R
glis.
glis.
glis.
glis.
N LY
Vc.
8
Vln.
O
SC
Pno.
5
O
PE
Vc.
U
5
R
Piano
Christina Rusnak
with L. Arm, SILENTLY hold notes A0-A2 and press sostenuto pedal Sust. Ped.
Cello
Vln.
Violin
Piano Trio
©2025, Christina Rusnak, Rusnak Music Press (BMI) All Rights Reserved Internationally
2
11
18
Pno.
E
R
O
Vc.
poco rit.
N LY
A Vln.
L
14
Pno.
3
a tempo
O
PE
Vc.
SA
14
Vln.
11
SC
Pno.
U
Vc.
R
Vln.
King Tides
King Tides
3 21
pizz.
27
Pno.
N LY
R
ord.
3 3
O
Vc.
SC
27
Vln.
B
sul pont.
24
Pno.
= 76-80
PE
Vc.
R
24
Vln.
E
poco accel.
O
Pno.
SA
Vc.
U
Vln.
3
L
21
3
4
King Tides
33
Pno.
Vc.
poco rit.
35
Pno.
ord.
35
Vln.
= 66
poco accel.
LY
O
Vc.
PE
Vln.
N
33
SC
Pno.
E
30
O
R
U
Vc.
sul pont. arco
L
R
Vln.
SA
30
= 76-80
C
L
38
Vln.
Vc.
E
R
44
Pno.
3
N LY
44
O
Pno.
= 80-84
O
3 41
PE
Vc.
R
poco accel.
41
Vln.
SA
Pno.
5
SC
Vc.
U
Vln.
King Tides
53
Pno.
= 84
3
E
ritenuto = 66
poco rit.
N LY
Vc.
R
53
Vln.
O
Pno.
PE
Vc.
50 50
Vln.
R
Pno.
O
Vc.
ord. 47
SC
Vln.
L
47
SA
King Tides
U
6
3
3
3
SA
63
LY
poco accel.
O
Pno.
N
Vc.
63
Vln.
E
R
60
Pno.
R
PE
Vc.
O
3
60
Vln.
3
57
Pno.
SC
Vc.
3
U
Vln.
= 76-80
7
L
D
King Tides
8
R
R
E
poco rit.
poco accel.
LY
= 66
3
N
71
Pno.
O
Vc.
3 3 69 71
Vln.
O
Pno.
PE
Vc.
SA
U
69
Vln.
L
66
Pno.
SC
Vc.
66
Vln.
= 84
King Tides
King Tides
82
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
82
ord.
L
= 76-80
poco accel.
F
LY
78
3
N
poco rit.
E
R
O
Pno.
PE
Vc.
O
78
Vln.
74 on A string
SA
Pno.
just a little faster
SC
Vc.
espressivo
R
Vln.
The Sirens = 76-80
U
E
9
10
L
SA
91
Pno.
poco rit.
5
5
E
R
= 80
3
LY
Vc.
N
91
Vln.
O
Pno.
O
Vc.
PE
Vln.
= 90
88 3
88
SC
Pno.
poco accel.
U
Vc.
3 3 85
85 = 80
R
Vln.
King Tides
97
Pno.
100
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
L
3
100
LY
N
3
E
G = 84
O
Vc.
PE
Vln.
O
97
R
SC
Pno.
94
poco accel.
U
Vc.
11
SA
R
Vln.
94
King Tides
6
3
12
King Tides
109
Vln.
Vc.
109
Pno.
L
poco accel.
3
= 90
LY
N
106
Pno.
E
Vc.
PE
Vln.
O
106
R
SC
Pno.
O
103
U
Vc.
SA
R
Vln.
103
R
PE
118
Vc.
Pno.
118
N
Vln.
LY
115
Pno.
O
Vc.
3
115
Vln.
6
E
O
Pno.
R
112
L
3
SC
Vc.
U
Vln.
13
SA
112
King Tides
14
King Tides
poco rit.
SA
121
ShhShh Press strings with left arm Lightly brush bow acrross strings OR rub bow along the corner of the body
LY N O
SC
O
R
E
U
Pno.
R
Vc.
PE
Vln.
L
121
http://christinarusnak.com
Rusnak Music Press