Go: Even Further (score & parts) - BSN/STG5

Go: Even Further
for bassoon and string quintet: bassoon, two violins, viola, cello, and bass
by Elliot Roman(b.1999) - American composer, pianist, flutist, and conductor based in New York City

ABOUT THE MUSIC

go: even further is a companion piece to a short solo-violin encore I had previously composed entitled go. go was a quick “in-and-out” in every respect; despite the piece being composed within one (inspiration-struck) day, the two-minute work itself started with a bang and ended before a distracted listener might even realize the piece had begun. However, its material, especially the unexpected quality of sustain which emerged from its relentless sixteenth notes, demanded I explore the piece at greater length and reconfigure it into a new formation. go had thus become the backbone of go: even further, in which additional compositional dimensions magnify and bring new life to the unlocked potential of go’s original material.

ABOUT THE COMPOSER

Elliot’s compositions often juxtapose stasis with motion, rich harmony with rhythmic vibrancy, and sincerity with wit. Many of them reflect upon Jewish art and identity and often explore the concept of quotation. They have been performed in the US and Europe and have won awards in competitions including the BMI Student Composer Awards, the Charles Ives Concert Series Call for Scores, and the Chicago Ensemble “Discover America” Call for Scores, among others. Elliot has received commissions from ensembles and organizations such as the American String Quartet, the New York Virtuoso Singers and the National Orchestral Institute and Festival and has collaborated with artists such as George Manahan and Frederick Zlotkin. In addition, Elliot has composed for other genres such as musical theatre and film. He orchestrated Morningside, a new musical premiered in 2019 at the Manhattan School of Music and scored Ashes Artist Collective’s award-winning short film Girl of My Dreams (2021).
 
Elliot also has experience performing as a soloist and orchestral player. He was a member of the New York Youth Symphony on flute and piano from 2017-19, performing at Carnegie Hall, on CNN, and on tour in Spain. Elliot has premiered new works both in the New York Youth Symphony and in programs such as the Carnegie Hall “Migrations: The Making of America” Festival.
 
In 2021, Elliot founded underStaffed, a collective dedicated to the performance of classical works for chamber orchestra and small ensembles and serves as its Artistic Director and Conductor.
 
Elliot received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, where he was a recipient of the Jay Rubinton Scholarship. He has studied composition with Reiko Fueting, J. Mark Stambaugh, Nick DiBerardino, and Simon Holt and piano with Daniel Epstein, Julian Jacobson and Adam Kent.