Patterns (1992) for cello and percussion is a three-movement piece that features interactions of different patterns in the two instrument parts. “Patterns” is a fairly challenging piece for both performers, despite the absence of many special effects. The percussion part is rather limited in scope: only timpani, vibraphone and woodblocks are used. But they create a rather varied texture that balances that of the cello. Waves (1984), Fifth Piano Sonata, was conceived as a long meditative piece, using wave patterns of various sizes to fill out an extended sonata form. More traditional harmonies were used to enhance the piece’s meditative qualities. Four Pieces for Trumpet and Piano (1991) were inspired by a trip across the Rocky Mountains to America’s Pacific coast, as well as other compositions of the same instrumentation. The piece contains segments of contrasting character and texture that relate to various impressions of the trip. Variations (1997-98), Eighth Piano Sonata, is a hybrid, as the name indicates. Free variations are used as various segments of a one-movement sonata, all the while giving the pianist a wide variety of challenges at the instrument. Flaming Night (2007) for flute and percussion was written for the McCormick Duo. With the use of ten percussion instruments and the flute’s occasional foray into extended techniques, the composition features a fairly wide array of timbres. The contrasting movements gradually build up from a relatively quiet ebbing and flowing to a fury of sound and motion. The image of a growing fire during the night comes to mind. =========== PETER BLAUVELT (b. 1956) was born in France and grew up in Germany, where he began his studies in composition and piano. In 1975, he came to the U.S., where he studied at Harvard University. There, he received three degrees – including a doctorate in composition. Since 1968, he has often given recitals – not only of his own pieces – in the U.S., France and Germany, in public and on the radio, and has received several prizes for both composition and piano. Meanwhile, he has also been performed in other countries in Europe and North America. After leaving Boston for Florida in 1984, he co-founded the “Tampa Bay Composers’ Forum” in 1989 and founded “Creative Arts and Tutoring Services” in 1990. To date, he has written over 135 compositions, mostly chamber music, and has had over 100 of them performed in public.