We are excited to continue our collaboration with the New York Women Composers (NYWC). This month, we present a piece by Stefania de Kenessey.
Bio
Dr. Stefania de Kenessey is a contemporary classical composer known for her melodic neoclassical style and innovative spirit. Her music has been heard from Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to Joe’s Pub and La MaMa, and in over 35 countries worldwide. Critics have praised her work’s “bright, lively quality” and accessible melodicism alongside its emotional depth and subtlety. She has received multiple awards from ASCAP and written concertos for virtuosos such as trumpeter Chris Gekker.
A versatile artist, de Kenessey has written music in genres from choral and opera to dance and film scores. In 2015 she premiered The Bonfire of the Vanities – a bold operatic reimagining of Tom Wolfe’s novel – to critical acclaim. She is also a passionate advocate for women in music, serving as founding president of the International Alliance for Women in Music and advising projects like The New Historia. De Kenessey earned her PhD at Princeton and taught for many years at The New School. Her work continues to captivate audiences and performers – cellists included – with its blend of traditional beauty and contemporary flair.
Featured Work: Dual Play for two cellos and piano
COMPOSITION DETAILS
- Title: Dual Play
- Composer: Stefania de Kenessey
- Year of Composition: 2022
- Instrumentation: two cellos and piano
- Movements: 3
- What now?
- It’s not that simple
- Goodbye
- Duration of Work: 11 minutes
- Number of Measures:67/199/54
- Number of pages: 21 (score)
- Tempo: Mesto/Agitato/Languid
- Difficulty Level: advanced / professional – but an intermediate player could successfully play the 2nd cello part
- Highest Position Reached: thumb
- Techniques Employed: no extended techniques
- Publisher: DeKenessey Productions
- Where to Purchase the Score: Contact Dr. Stefania de Kenessey
- Cost of Score*: $10
Recording
You may request a recording by contacting Dr. Stefania de Kenessey directly via email.
Program Notes
““Dual Play” was written in 2022 at the request of my friend, the versatile violist Deborah Shuster – who also plays cello with her colleague Quinn Liu in Cello Jam. Since the cello is such an incredibly expressive, almost voice-like instrument, I thought it would be interesting to take three duets from my “Bonfire of the Vanities” opera (based on the novel by Tom Wolfe, with a libretto by Michael Bergmann) and render them as instrumental pieces for piano with two cellos. The result was “Dual Play”, an 11-minute piece that showcases the colofrul, poignant, profoundly dramatic capacities of the cello – now doubled both in strength and in depth.” – Stefania de Kenessey
Stefania de Kenessey’s Other Work with a Prominent Cello Part
Links
- Website
- YouTube: @dekenessey
- Spotify
- Soundcloud
- Facebook: @stefania.dekenessey
- Instagram: @dekenessey
A Collaboration with the New York Women Composers (NYWC)
The NYWC series at the Cello Museum was created to showcase its members who have composed various pieces for cello, informing cellists seeking new music to add to their repertoire, and helping listeners find new favorites. Many thanks to the NYWC for this wonderful collaboration.
Read other installments in the series here.
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*Prices are accurate at the time of article publication, but the Cello Museum cannot take responsibility for subsequent price changes.
