This piece, Passacaglia for Four Cellos, both looks backwards and forwards, using the Baroque form with a novel approach to harmony and instrumentation. As in a passacaglia, I use a repeating bass line throughout the whole piece, over which several voices play varying material, building, swelling and decaying. However, instead of a strictly Baroque approach to counterpoint and harmony, I use many chords more evocative of Impressionism. Using four cellos, as opposed to the keyboard or organ that often plays a passacaglia, I also evoke many unique sound-colors throughout. In this way, I recall the sentimentality of an old style while expanding its language.

– Ari H. Scott

Ari H. Scott, Roman Wood, Evé Sanchez, and Mere Harrach, cello

Audio and video by Nick Reeves • Thumbnail photo by Dylan Masariego