Kirt N. Mosier

Baroque Variants

Baroque Variants is a string orchestra piece that draws upon the stylings of J.S. Bach but sets these features to modal harmonies and modern rhythms. The motif of the piece comes from Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. However, while Bach starts his motif with an anacrusis (pick-up), in Baroque Variants this rhythmic idea begins on the beat and is the first thing heard. There is a fugal exposition in the middle of the piece (m. 25) that pays homage to Bach's wonderful counterpoint. The piece then moves into a challenging string quartet texture in m. 48 and comes back with a flurry to end on the original Brandenburg motif.