Augusta Read Thomas and her second violin concerto Carillon Sky (Paperback)

This essay offers a thorough analysis of Augusta Read Thomas's second violin concerto, Carillon Sky (2005). The work is compared with her solo violin work Caprice, written at the same time, as well as the similar Berio's work Sequenza VI and Chemins II. The analysis is divided into two sections: form and structure, and harmony and motive, focusing on a series of recurring chords and gestures. The essay concludes with a discussion of interpretative and performance issues, and a discussion of the work's optional cadenza. I hope that any performer interested in Thomas's compositions can use this essay as a starting point into her musical world.