PROGRAM NOTE
Program Note

Sparkle Epoxiplast 2000 was written in 2000 for pianist and composer Martin Kennedy. Its form follows what I call a circular rondo. In a traditional rondo, the composer presents a main theme in alternation with other themes. In this circular rondo, the themes also reappear, but always in the same order, like watching 4 people on a merry-go-round. The shifting harmonies of the piece make a circuit of the circle of fifths so that each theme appears a minor third higher than it did before. It is a spiraling Escher-like journey from C# to C# again, filled with jazz harmonies, wild excursions, and joie de vivre.

The title of the piece in fact came last, after all the notes were written. The fast virtuosos flourishes inspired the "Sparkle," the sinuous chorales suggested the "Epoxiplast," and the excitement over the change of the millennium elicited the "2000."

Sparkle Epoxiplast 2000 Self-published