Gradus
Premier:
Michigan Music Teachers Association
State Conference
DoubleTree Hotel, Bay City, Michigan
Paul Dwyer, cello
October 11 , 2009
Duration:
10 minutes
Instrumentation:
solo cello
Performances:
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10/22/2011
|
Virgil H. Carr Cultural Arts Center 4:00pm Debra Fayroian / Detroit Chamber Winds |
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05/23/2011
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Städtische Sing- und Musikschule München, Festsaal (Neuberghauser Str. 11) , Munich, Germany, 8pm Paul Dwyer, cello |
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05/23/2011
|
Munich, Germany Paul Dwyer / Location TBA |
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05/21/2011
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Steinebach am Wörthsee, Katholischer Pfarrsaal, Munich, 8pm Paul Dwyer, cello |
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04/13/2011
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2011 Gaudeamus Interpretors Competition Mov. II only / Paul Dwyer, cello |
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11/09/2010
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Amsterdam, Netherlands | Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ - Grote Zaal Amsterdamse Cello Biennale / Paul Dwyer |
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07/29/2010
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Basalt Public Library, Basalt, CO; 5pm Paul Dwyer, cello |
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07/14/2010
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3:00pm Harris Concert Hall Spotlight Recital Series (Aspen Music Festival and School); Paul Dwyer, cello |
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07/08/2010
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Aspen Music Festival and School, 9:00pm Music Hall, Castle Creek Campus Strings Showcase; Paul Dwyer, cello |
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04/21/2010
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Music for One / University of Michigan Museum of Art, 8pm Paul Dwyer, cello |
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03/13/2010
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McIntosh Theatre / University of Michigan, 8pm Paul Dwyer, cello |
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03/12/2010
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Archer Ballroom / Chicago Illinois, 7:30pm Paul Dwyer, cello |
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03/09/2010
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Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse / Oberlin College, 8:30pm Paul Dwyer, cello |
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03/06/2010
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Linger Cafe & Lounge / Brooklyn, New York, 2pm Paul Dwyer, cello |
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02/28/2010
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Irvine Auditorium, Amado Hall / University of Pennsylvania, 3pm Paul Dwyer, cello |
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01/16/2010
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Collage Concert / Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, MI Paul Dwyer, cello |
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11/23/2009
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Student Composer's Forum / Britton Recital Hall, University of Michigan Paul Dwyer, cello |
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10/11/2009
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Doubletree Hotel / Bay City, MI, 4:30pm Paul Dwyer, cello |
Gradus (2009) was commissioned by the Michigan Music Teachers Association and written for cellist Paul Dwyer. It was first performed at the MMTA State Conference in October 2009.
Gradus was written in honor of Paul Dwyer’s first cello teacher, Walther Fuchs. The title comes from the famous treatise on counterpoint, Gradus ad Parnassum, by Johann Fux. This title, translated as “Steps to Parnassum,” represents the establishment of the teaching method; one may follow the steps and someday reach enlightenment, or, Parnassum.
The four movements of Gradus play off Fux’s teaching of voice leading, dissonance treatment and contour. Gradus follows one possible path of the proverbial “student musician,” composer or performer, through struggle and reward. New plateaus are reached and then forgotten in the endless pursuit of mastery.
The similarity of “Fuchs” and “Fux,” both admired teachers, one in cello and one in composition and counterpoint, seemed perfect for the collaborative backdrop between a student cellist, Paul Dwyer, and a student composer, myself.
Dooley - Gradus
Paul Dwyer, cello
Movement 1
Movement II
Movement III
Movement IV
Movement V
Movement VI
Movement VII