Every purposeful action begins with an intention and an idea. A commitment is an intention fortified by thought and experience.
Real
Imaginary
Fictional Narratives
Film and Stage
- I Vitteloni (The Young and the Pasionate), Fellini’s autobiographical film about “a half-dozen twentysomething layabouts”, one of whom breaks free toward a more purposeful life
Music: Composers, artists, and major works
William Byrd, keyboard music (performances by Koopman, Haas, Leonhardt, Tilney and [on Naxos label])
Messiaen, 8 Preludes for Piano (Huit Preludes pour Piano) (1929): The prelude form lends itself to an early stage, such as when an intention is formed, and Messiaen’s reverential spirit makes these short pieces suitable for the subject of making commitments.
Music of serious intention:
- Langlais, organ works (performed by Houbart, Massaglia and Leclerc)
- Hummel, Quintet for Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello & Double Bass in E-flat Major, Op. 87 (1802)
- Rudin, Sonata for Violin & Piano (2001)
- Rudin, Sonata for Viola & Piano (2007)
- Rudin, Sonata for Cello & Piano (2010)
- Roy Harris, Symphony No. 3 (1938)
- Roy Harris, Symphony No. 5 (1942): 1st movement, 2nd movement, 3rd movement
- Schuman, Symphony No. 3 (1941)
- Ginastera, String Quartets: 1, Op. 20 (1958, rev. 1968); No. 2, Op. 26 (1958); No. 3, for soprano & string quartet Op. 40 (1973)
- Magnard, Violin Sonata in G Major, Op. 13 (1901)
- Fauré, String Quartet in E Minor, 121 (1924)
- Nordheim, Partita for Paul, for violin & electronics (inspired by Paul Klee’s paintings) (1985)
- Flagello, Piano Sonata (1962) [1st movement, 2nd movement, 3rd movement]; Declamation for Violin & Piano; Prelude, Ostinato and Fugue for Piano
- Irving Fine, Notturno for Strings & Harp (1951); Partita for Wind Quintet (1949); String Quartet (1952); Symphony 1962 (1962); The Hour Glass (1949)
- Arriaga, Symphonie À Grand Orchestre en Ré (Symphony in D Major): clearly a young composer’s work, serious in tone
- Ghedini, Marinaresca a baccanale (Sea Piece and Bacchanale) (1933)
Albums:
- Marilyn Lerner, Ken Filiano and Lou Grassi, “Intention”
Music: songs and other short pieces
- Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Light a Way