About
“Naïve Art and Snowy Trees” is a composition inspired by the painting "Snow Laden Landscape" by Maude Lewis. In this painting, a colorful town is portrayed covered in snow and surrounded by trees with tracks from sleighs heading down a path towards the town. Maude Lewis paints in a Naïve Art style that is rather playful, and that is where I drew inspiration for the style and title of this piece.
In “Naïve Art and Snowy Trees”, I attempted to capture the essence of Maude Lewis’s painting. I composed using my computer’s notation software as well as by plunking out various melodies and themes on the piano. I wanted to have a playful feel that echoed the bright colors of the painting while also communicating the serene and peaceful aspect of the sleigh ride into the town. I believe that I was successful in this endeavor. I wrote a beautiful theme that is recurring in variation and that communicates the serenity of this painting. Additionally, I included a great deal of pizzicato throughout, as well as a full pizzicato section, in order to create a playful feel and establish the sounds of horses trotting through snow. I believe I was successful in capturing Maude Lewis’s painting in music, and this is one of the compositions that I am most proud of.
Writing “Naïve Art and Snowy Trees” was my first experience writing for a string quartet. Through this process, I learned a great deal about how to write for strings. I learned about bowing and articulation as well as the ranges and physical constraints of these instruments. Since writing this piece, string quartets have been one of my favorite ensembles to write for.