Stephen Hartke

SUITE FOR SUMMER (2004) for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Violin, and Cello Commissioned by the Chamber Music Conference and Composers' Forum of the East Duration: 9 Minutes I.  Sonatina for George II.  Waltz for Lisa III.  Sonatina for Don My Suite for Summer, commissioned by the Chamber Music Conference and Composers' Forum of the East, for performance in Bennington, Vermont in the Summer of 2004, is, in fact, a recomposition for a quintet of winds and strings of three piano pieces originally written as gifts for dear friends.  The first, titled here "Sonatina for George," was composed in honor of George Rochberg's 70th birthday, and borrows some of its thematic material from the first movement of his first string quartet.  The second, "Waltz for Lisa," was composed as a gift for my wife, and is a study in minor and major seventh chords.  The last movement, "Sonatina for Don," was also a birthday present, in this case for Don Crockett's 40th.