Dedicated to Fine's wife Verna, the nine-minute Romanza was first performed posthumously on February 1, 1963 at the Library of Congress. This little-known work is an exquisitely balanced blend of Fine's neoclassical precision with the chromatic lyricism of his dodecaphonic works. Two contrasting ideas dialogue throughout the piece: a strong, steady motion that begins with a rising perfect fifth, and a scampering stepwise ascent. From his twelve-tone pallet, Fine derives crisp, fugato counterpoint, machine-age ostinati, colorful trills, and reflective, thoughtful chords. The composer's sketches indicate that the Romanza was intended as the first of several movements in a longer, unfinished wind quintet -- a sequel, perhaps, to his popular Partita.
Reproduction Rights
This programme note can be reproduced free of charge in concert programmes with a credit to Boosey & Hawkes/McCord.
