Three Fantasies for Viola & Piano
Duration: 28:00
The work can be performed as all three movements, or any subset
Movement I - 8 minutes
Movement II - 9 minutes
Movement III - 11 minutes

Three Fantasies consists of three individual
movements which each present their own unique
material, as well as develop motives from the
adjoining movements. Therefore, all three
movements are interwoven with common material;
example, the second section of the opening
movement presents a high-pitched, angular
motive in both the viola and piano. This motive is
developed throughout the first movement and
takes on many forms, but it also returns
triumphantly at the conclusion of the third
movement. This kind of motive sharing occurs
extensively between all three movements, and
helps solidify the work for the listener as a
cohesive unit, rather than three separate pieces.
Generally, the work follows the traditional three
movement sonata form of fast, slow, fast.
However, variations in tempi, as well as deviations
from standard forms make the term “fantasy”
seem more apt in this instance. Three Fantasies
for Viola & Piano was commissioned by violist
Ross Debardelaben.



"Danyew's Three Fantasies for viola and
piano is an important addition to the
repertoire - a mature work that has both the
richness of a major concerto with the
intimacy of chamber music."
- Thomas Sleeper, Composer/Condctor
"Steve Danyew's works consistently run
deep with emotion and his style of
composition is accessible to listeners
from any background. He truly seems to
understand the musical evolution that
has come before him and is poised to
and harmonic flexibility, Three fantasies
Full of Stravinsky-esque rhythmic vitality
for viola is an incredibly evocative work,
seamlessy weaving subtle lyricism with
driving rhythms to create a hopeful new
standard in viola repertoire."
- Blake Espy, Violinist, La Catrina String
Quartet
"Steve has an innate gift for exploiting
both the rugged nature and lyrical side of
the viola. His "Three Fantasies for Viola
and Piano" are a testament to this gift,
and I believe that it will quickly become a
seminal part of the viola repertoire."
-Chung Park, Music Director and
conductor, Idaho State Civic Symphony
"I really enjoyed listening and playing
through this work, and I especially
enjoyed the harmonic language Danyew
uses....I also really love modern music
that sounds fresh in its harmonic
language, yet has a universal appeal, and
is attainable from the first listening, as
this work is. This was truly a very exciting
work with a powerful ending, and I very
much look forward to more viola music
from this up and coming young
composer!"
-From Ken Martinson's review in the
Journal of the American Viola Society
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