ScottOpus Productions is pleased to introduce the following works of Kenneth R. Lindner Jr.:-
Three Miniatures for Brass Quartet was written in 1980. The composer indicates that it was written as an "experiment" and was the first composition he wrote. The work was written for a brass quartet that the composer had created. By the accounts of the composer the quartet enjoyed playing the work and therefore set it as part of their repertoire for concerts and other performances. There is no recording or computer rendition of this work but a study score in PDF format is available for Download.
Miniature I.
With the performance instruction of "cool swing style" and with the whole quartet muted with straight mutes the swing style is set with a dotted quarter and a tied eighth note and half note pattern subtly indicating a syncopated format. At measure 5 the trumpet takes the melody in a triplet and syncopated rhythm while the other three members of the quartet continue with an extension of the original syncopated accompaniment thus forming a quasi ostinato. There is an interruption at measure 9 and it is only then that the listener becomes aware that perhaps the first measures are, in fact, an introduction to the rest of the miniature. The remainder of the work comprised of the development of the original material with measure 9 being recapitulated at measure 20 and the original accompaniment being heard again in measure 19, 22 and 28. The composer makes very good use of the triplet versus the division of the beat into two and thus provides for the swing-like atmosphere prevalent throughout this miniature.
Miniature II.
The Performance instructions of this movement are a little confusing as the metronome marking indicates a beat equals “60” while the instruction itself states “In one, Marcato”. As the time signature is simple triple time then this could result in an interpretation similar to a waltz or alternatively similar to a symphonic scherzo of the early Romantic period – similar perhaps to the scherzo movement in a Beethoven symphony. As there is no performance available for this work – it is not clear which of these alternatives was in the mind of the composer, especially as each interpretations seem to work. Perhaps, in the best style of late Twentieth Century Music the performers make the determination of the tempo of this miniature.
Miniature III..
The third miniature has the subtitle (performance instruction) indicated “French Overture”. Although an indication of form rather than a “performance instruction” this indication does give us an insight in the intention of the composer in this miniature. The French Overture, particularly prevalent during the Baroque period of music, usually comprised of three sections: the first being stately and regal in nature – usually using dotted rhythms, the second being lively and fugal in nature and the third being a recapitulation or imitation of the first section. Mr. Lindner’s French Overture does conform to the general concept of the formal structure outlined above, but does not appear as an introduction to a larger formed work – such as a ballet or opera; nor does it comprise of the size of a work normally associated with the Baroque format. It is however the most extensive miniature in the collection of three and does represent a more complicated format than the other two miniatures. The first section does appear regal in nature and incorporates the dotted eighth note and sixteenth note configuration associated with the baroque form. The second section is faster in nature (eighth note equaling 210) but is not fugal. It is, instead, significantly syncopated thus confusing the simple triple meter into a combination of simple and compound beats. This approach is continued and developed until measure 30 when the first section returns to complete the miniature.
A downloaded pdf copy of the score is available from the ScottOpus website. Please follow the links below to start the download. Please note that all of Mr. Lindner's works are under copyright and are only available on an individual basis and are not to be used for commercial purposes without prior permission. If you are interested in performing this work or organizing for a performance of this work, or obtaining multiple copies of this work please email ScottOpus Productions at kerryscott@scottopus.org.
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Miniature I, II, and III
Unfortunately a downloaded Mp3 copy of this composition is not available. Please note that all of Mr. Lindner's works are under copyright and are only available on an individual basis and are not to be used for commercial purposes without prior permission. It should be noted that the computer realizations of Mr. Lindner's works listed on this website were created during the 1990's and therefore do not enjoy the quality of contemporary technology. For this reason they should be considered as approximate indications of what the work sounds like rather than a full performance. If you are interested in performing this work or organizing for a performance of this work, or obtaining multiple copies of this work please email ScottOpus Productions at kerryscott@scottopus.org.
Written, with permission of the composer, by Kerry R. Scott for ScottOpus Production