String QUARTET Version
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String ORCHESTRA Version
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Also Consider...

Passages for String Quartet

Reveries for String Orchestra



"An excellent composition for string orchestra, bringing to mind David Diamond's Rounds in its high energy and spirited interplay. Formally elegant, naturally organic, ''fun" without being obvious or silly. Absolutely first rate in every way and worthy of many performances."

The American Prize Judging Panel

"...mischievously playful..."

Heather Zimmerman
Los Gatos Weekly Times

"If someone is looking for a short, energetic work for a string group that can tolerate a little dissonance and handle whole-tone scales, this just might fit the bill! Audience reaction was positive. Nice work!"

Emily Ray
Music Director,
Mission Chamber Orchestra

"Terrific piece - lots of fun!"

Robert Ian Winstin
Conductor, Masterworks of the New Era Label
ERM Media

  


Black Ball Counts Double

for String Quartet (Version A)
for String Orchestra (Version B)

Duration: approximately 3 minutes and 50 seconds





Program Notes

When the composer was 7 years of age, his maternal grandmother presented him with a bagatelle game called Wing Shot. The object of the pinball-like game was to launch small marbles using a spring-loaded plunger, causing them to land in semicircular cups with associated point values. Across the bottom of the game was inscribed the phrase "Black Ball Counts Double."

The title and concept of this single-movement work were suggested by the pleasant memories of the perpetually flying marbles and the almost mystical significance of the single black ball.

With its appealing themes, brevity, contrast and rhythmic drive, Black Ball Counts Double is an excellent opener for any string quartet recital or string orchestra concert.

The String Orchestra version of this work received a "Highly Commended" award in the 2003 Oare International Composing Competition, England. It was premiered on on April 23, 2005 by the Mission Chamber Orchestra, San Jose, California, Emily Ray, Music Director.


Instrumentation

String Quartet Version

Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Violoncello


String Orchestra Version

Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Violoncello
Contrabass


Published by Metamorphic Music.