Roundel (2025)

The Oxford English Dictionary has the following definitions of ROUNDEL: “A circle drawn, marked out, or formed in any way. Something forming a ring or a circle…A small circular object; a little disk or rounded piece…A rondeau or rondel…A round dance.”

This short piece for violin and piano follows the idea of a circle in the way that motifs and sections get repeated and return, sometimes in different contexts. The work begins with slow, decorated melody; the middle section consists of two strophes, the second being a variation of the first. The final section sees a return to the slow music of the beginning and then gathers pace at the very end towards a quiet but abrupt conclusion.

ROUNDEL is dedicated to Thomas Kemp.

Brian Elias
December2024