On hearing a friend has died

        The vast majority of my compositions are from 20 to 28 minutes long, which suits my tastes and attention span. However, this is out of step with the times, and ignores the realities of performance. At this very late stage in my efforts, I have decided to write a series of short pieces, and even shorter program notes.

        This work was originally intended to be part of a larger string quartet titled “Old Man Suite”, but this movement will stand alone quite well.

cover art:"Death and the Miser" by Franz Franken II