Viola Concerto: Natural Bridge (2020)

The Viola Concerto: Natural Bridge was composed during the summer of 2020 for Amadi Azikiwe. The solo viola represents travel through and admiration of the Natural Bridge of Virginia, which is one of the great visual wonders of America. The work is to be performed attacca.

Harvey J. Stokes
8/12/20
Duration of movements:
I. ” . . . viewing . . . ” ca. 7′ 10″
II. ” . . . reflection . . . ” ca. 6′ 05″
III. ” . . . rememberance . . .” ca. 5′ 45”
Total Duration: ca. 19′ 00″

Instrumentation
(Solo Viola and Chamber Orchestra)

Flute
Oboe
Clarinet in B-flat
Bassoon

French Horn in F
Trumpet in C
Trombone

Pedal Timpani

Piano

Solo Viola

Strings

About the Natural Bridge*
The Natural Bridge is located at 6477 South Lee Highway, Natural Bridge Virginia, and is part of the Virginia State Park System (Natural Bridge State Park) of the United States of America (USA). It is one of the oldest geologic features on the East Coast. The limestone base consists of compressed remains of organisms that lived in the seas during the Ordovician period of the Paleozoic era nearly 500 million years ago. When the nearby James River was formed 200 million years ago, the bridge was part of an underground cave system. Eventually, water changed course, and the cave collapsed leaving only the thickest part of a ceiling–the bridge we see today.

*Adapted from the Virginia State Parks: Natural Bridge State Park
Trail Guide, 6477 South Lee Highway, Natural Bridge Virginia, 24578.
naturalbridge@dcr.virginia.gov
www.virginiastateparks.gov

Parts available on rental.

Inquiries? Please write harveystokes78@gmail.com for more information.