Nico Muhly, Time After Time (2003)

Time After Time was written for the Yesaroun’ Duo and marimbist Nancy Zeltsman. I set out to write a piece that was primarily fun to play but rhythmically challenging enough for two percussionist and one honorary percussionist to play. The title refers to the fact that all the material recycles itself at different speeds. The marimba’s long, quasi-chorale lines proceed, initially, without noticing the rhythmic shifts and upheaval below. Halfway through the piece, a jagged marimba solo features the instrument’s precise, dance-like qualities, and after being joined by the saxophone and percussion, propels the whole ensemble towards the rhythmic and harmonic excesses of the final section. -NM

Nico Muhly has had works performed by the American Symphony Orchestra, The Juilliard Orchestra, the American Russian Youth Orchestra, pianist Bruce Brubaker, and the Avalon Quartet. For the past three years, he has worked extensively with Philip Glass as an editor and keyboard player. Muhly attended Columbia University for English (focusing on Postcolonial literature and theory), and The Juilliard School for composition, studying with Christopher Rouse. He is currently pursuing a graduate degree from Juilliard studying with John Corigliano.