JOHN LIBERATORE
composer

A Line Broken, Traced is divided into four movements, while the third and fourth movements retrace the first and second respectively.  The first movement grows out a simple triadic motive in a halting but strangely lyrical duet for saxophone and vibraphone, agitated slightly by dead-strokes and temple blocks.  In sharp contrast, the second movement is a brusque ricercare for saxophone and marimba.  This movement is essentially canonic, except that the leader and follower constantly swap positions (a sleight of hand aided by repeated notes), occasionally spinning off to dance on their own.  The third movement traces over the first, expanding on the thought left incomplete at the outset of the piece.  The core of this movement is a contemplative berceuse, transplanted into the center of the composition.  As this section dissolves, the opening triadic motive returns, finally traced over, revealing the lyricism suppressed in the first movement.  The final movement revisits the ricercare (now in unison), playfully working in the triadic motive that opens the piece.  The title is drawn from Niloufar Talebi’s translation of Nader Naderpour’s poem (originally in Persian) Point and Line.  

The piece was written for and dedicated to Jan Baker and Stuart Gerber of Bent Frequency, and recorded by the duo for Albany Records.