Program Notes
On the surface, this piece evokes the roller-coaster of emotions experienced when one falls head-over heels in love. This fact (and the title) may give the impression that this work is solely about an adolescent crush, but for the composer, the subject matter is much broader in scope.
It is about the immeasurable joy of discovering something that gives one’s past trauma meaning; be it love, one’s calling in life, or a community in which one truly belongs. It is about daring to dream of a better future, despite what one may have experienced in the past, and despite the very real possibility that pursuing this dream could lead to even more heartbreak. Primo Amore (or First Love), is not solely about the first time this occurs, but rather how each time feels like the first. We write off the disappointments of the past as simple misjudgments and/or bad luck and we tell ourselves that this time is going to be different. Like a spiritual dance, this cycle continues throughout our lives, because it must. If only subconsciously, it seems that we know that the day we can no longer dream of a light at the end of the tunnel, the end is not far behind.
Performance Tips
The program notes say it all.
Moments (Music Gestures)
Tripping over your own feet in anticipation as something amazing happens. (m. 1)
As if running through town to share the news with everybody. (m. 9)
Head spins as you picture how wonderful the future is going to be now. (m. 41)
Lost in a daydream, you begin to float and quickly soar into the clouds above. (m. 77)
The first doubt creeps in as you think about how hard you will hit the ground if you fall. (m. 93)
Visions of the good quickly outweigh the bad and doubt is cast aside (m. 101)
You soar even higher leaving the clouds far below you (m. 108)
The daydream begins to fade and you relish the fact that this awesomeness is real. (m. 125)
More confident than ever you rush out to tell anyone who will listen about this amazing news. (m. 173)