Not a Trifling Matter

Instrumentation: piano

Composed: 2008

Duration: 50 sec.

Score: 2 pp.

Website: library.newmusicusa.org/allenbrings

Not a Trifling Matter for piano was composed in response to the call-for-scores issued by the College Music Society for short works to be performed during its conference in Atlanta in 2008, at which it would-among its many other activities-be celebrating its 50th anniversary. My initial reaction to writing a single piece no more than 50 seconds long for which I could imagine no possible use beyond its performance at the conference was decidedly negative. But, among other things, I am also a performer, a performer indeed before I became a composer, so I considered one possible use for such a trifle as an encore. My choice of the title was to express my view that brevity in art need not imply triviality. Although one can easily detect a degree of humor in this music, I meant it to be quite serious, not at all a trifle. I also intended, by employing devices I am aware of having used in other compositions, for it to be recognizable to a listener who might be acquainted with some of those works. One might therefore almost refer to Not a Trifling Matter as a kind of audible musical profile.

Website:	http://amc.net/allenbrings
Email:	miramusic@aol.com