ROGER SESSIONS (1896-1985): Sonata for Solo Violin, ELLIOTT CARTER (1908-2012): Duo for Violin and Piano, JASON ECKARDT (b.1981): Strömkarl.

Description: Carter's 1973 Duo nicely exemplifies his principle of stratification of constantly varied material, giving the impression of different types of music heard simultaneously, yet woven into a cohesive whole. The violin is mostly passionate, mercurial; the piano presents a more metrically measured argument, and the two instruments seem to be in constant opposition. Sessions' large, four-movement sonata makes free use of twelve-tone techniques. The first movement is a fluid fantasia; the second, a virtuosic scherzo; the third, melancholy variations around a somber melody; and the finale a sprightly march. The Eckardt was commissioned as a companion to these distinguished modernist works of their time, and displays their influence, as well as acknowledging more recent developments in complex modern music, with elements of 'new complexity' and brutalism in a vigorous, hectic dance, spare in texture but so constantly active as to creat the impression of great density. Miranda Cuckson (violin), Blair McMillen (piano).