Program Notes - Waldstein Express

Minimalist Beethoven rushing down the tracks!  Waldstein Express is an energetic fantasia based on the first movement of Beethoven's Sonata No. 21, (Op. 53) "Waldstein."   Beethoven's opening two measures are repeated throughout (á la Steve Reich) as a ground bass, with other motivic fragments from Beethoven's original appearing in the upper voices along with freely composed material.  Other cameo appearances include the bass line from the coda of the first movement Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, the opening of the C major prelude from the Bach "Well Tempered Clavier," a little Gershwin, and a little Jerry Lee Lewis.

The score carries the dedication "to my friend and colleague, Sandra Carnes, Chair of the Department of Fine Arts and Coordinator of Keyboard Studies, Malone University."