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’s keyboard music is serious and deliberate, suggesting intention formation and/or commitment-making. Ton Koopman (54’), Rosalinde Haas (70’), Colin Tilney (52’), and Tom Pixton (52’), have recorded this music.

Olivier Messiaen, 8 Preludes for Piano (Huit Preludes pour Piano) (1929) (approx. 33-35’): 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:

• Johannes Brahms, Vier ernste Gesänge (Four Serious Songs), Op. 121 (1896) (lyrics and analysis) (approx. 16-20’), “. . . is a cycle of four songs for bass and piano . . .” Brahms told his publisher, “they are damned serious and at the same time so godless that the police could ban them – if the words were not all in the Bible.” Top recordings are by Kipnis & Moore in 1936, Hotter & Moore in 1951, Fischer-Dieskau & Demus in 1958, Baker & Previn in 1977, Quasthoff & Zeyen in 2000, Gerhaher & Huber in 2002, Williams & Vignoles in 2016, and Goerne & Eschenbach in 2016.
• Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Quintet for Piano, Viola, Cello & Double Bass in E-flat Major, Op. 87 (1802) (approx. 22-24’)
• Andrew Rudin, Sonata for Violin & Piano (2001) (approx. 20’); Rudin, Sonata for Viola & Piano (2007) (approx. 23’); Sonata for Cello & Piano (2010) (approx. 15’)
• Roy Harris, Symphony No. 3 (1937) (approx. 17-18’)
• Roy Harris, Symphony No. 5 (1942) (approx. 24’) ^William Schuman, Symphony No. 3 (1941) (approx. 31’)
• Alberto Ginastera, String Quartets (approx. 70’ in total): No, 1, Op. 20 (1958, rev. 1968) (approx. 23’); No. 2, Op. 26 (1958) (approx. 28’); No 3, for soprano & string quartet Op. 40 (1973) (approx. 25’)
• Albéric Magnard, Violin Sonata in G Major, Op. 13 (1901) (approx. 40’)
• Gabriel Fauré, String Quartet in E Minor, Op. 121 (1924) (approx. 22-25’)
• Arne Nordheim, Partita for Paul, for violin & electronics (inspired by Paul Klee’s paintings) (1985) (approx. 11-17’)
• Nicolas Flagello, Piano Sonata, Op. 38 (1962) (approx. 19’) (mvt 1, mvt 2, mvt 3); Declamation for Violin & Piano (1967) (approx. 9’); Prelude, Ostinato and Fugue for Piano, Op. 30 (1960) (9’)
• Irving Fine, Notturno for Strings & Harp (1951) (approx. 14’); Partita for Wind Quintet (1949) (approx. 15-18’); String Quartet (1952) (19’); Symphony 1962 (1962) (approx. 23-26’); The Hour Glass (1949) (approx. 15’)
• Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga, Symphonie À Grand Orchestre en Ré (Symphony in D Major) (1824) (approx. 29’): clearly a young composer’s work (Arriaga was 18), serious in tone
• Giorgio Federico Ghedini, Marinaresca a baccanale (Sea Piece and Bacchanale) (1933) (approx. 17-18’)
• Axel Ruoff, Organ Symphony No. 2 (2016) (approx. 37’)
• Brahms, Piano Sonata No. 2 in F-sharp Minor, Op. 2 (1853) (approx. 25-29’)
• Grażyna Bacewicz, Piano Sonata No. 2 (1952) (approx. 17’)
• George Enescu, String Quartet No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 22, No. 1 (1920) (approx. 45’)

Dave Brubeck was a jazz pianist who developed a clear idea of what he wanted: to lead piano-forward jazz ensembles. His albums reflecting this vision include:

• “Time Out” (1959) (39’)
• “Gone with the Wind” (1959) (40’)
• “Countdown: Time in Outer Space” (1961) (42’)
• “Live from Vienna 1967” (1967) (43’)

Other albums:

• Marilyn Lerner, Ken Filiano and Lou Grassi, “Intention” (2020) (75')

Music: songs and other short pieces

• Slambovian Circus of Dreams, “Light a Way”
• Blaise Siwula, Nicolas Letman-Burtinovic & Jon Panikkar, “Intention”