My dear friends,

I have an idea for a piece I would love to compose - and, for the very first time, expressly for me to perform as cellist!

I’m wondering if you might help me realize this dream?

a bit of background:

Somehow I have never composed a major cello piece specifically for me as a performer! For example Mystery Sonata was written for Laura Metcalf; my concertino for cello and orchestra, The Royal Revolver, was composed for Eric Jacobsen; The Silver in Yellow was composed for Yellow Barn Festival but I knew Christopher Costanza would be premiering it. Virtually every one of my 15 solo cello pieces, collected in ORDRE, was composed for cellist friends or teachers.

But now — especially after these last few years of recovery — I finally want to compose something for myself!

the piece:

And this is what I have in mind; what’s been percolating for a while:

MERCURY SONATA for cello and piano, in three movements, about 15 minutes.

This will be an almost theatrical exploration of a few of that mercurial deity’s most famous attributes. Played out in three movements, they might be...

1. Messenger

2. Guide of Souls

3. Trickster

I’ve long identified with Mercury somehow and now feel this incredible urgency to encounter him as both a composer and cellist!

the business:

According to the “NEW MUSIC USA commission fee rubric” https://newmusicusa.org/nmbx/commissioning-fees-calculator/, the commission fee for such a duo — a 10 to 25 minute piece — would fall somewhere between $3000 and $15,000. So since my idea is for a 15 minute piece (in the middle of that range), I hope to raise $8000.

Your kind donations would be collected through GoFundMe:

News of the premiere, pianist, etc., as it develops!

I would be so appreciative of your support!