• PDF Full Score
  10 x 13 inches

• PDF Parts: Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Bass
  10 x 13 inches

For his biography, Haydn shared a now-famous story about his Symphony no. 45 (1772) that has captured the imaginations of countless composers:

Haydn served Prince Nikolaus Esterházy as court composer for almost 30 years, a prestigious position that afforded him ample opportunities to write and even experiment with music. When the Prince vacationed at his second home – an extravagant palace that has earned the nickname “the Versailles of Hungary” – he brought Haydn and his orchestra along. As they were essentially servants, the musicians had little choice but to leave their families in Vienna and accompany the Prince to this isolated countryside estate.

Prince Esterházy was so enamored with the palace that he extended the duration of his vacation there. Wanting to return to their homes, the musicians asked Haydn to approach the Prince on their behalf. So Haydn, wrote his 45th symphony with a surprise ending, choreographed to get the Prince’s attention. Right in the middle of the symphony’s lively and spirited finale, the music abruptly stops. It begins again, but in a slow and stately manner. As the charming melody plays, one by one, each musician finishes their part, snuffs out their candle (stand light), and exits. With only two violinists left, the symphony comes to a quiet and peaceful close.

Perhaps the story is apocryphal, but the Prince – and everyone else – returned to Vienna shortly after this “Farewell” symphony’s premiere.

In 2020, the pandemic led to arts organizations canceling live events all over the world. Soon after, I was commissioned to write a piece celebrating the return of the Spartanburg Philharmonic to the stage at Twichell Auditorium - with the expectation that it would be premiered in September 2020. When I first put pen to paper, I decided to write something of a reverse of Haydn’s “Farewell” symphony. In fact, the opening phrase of the solo violin is the same as Haydn’s melody... played backward in a kind of ‘Call to Return’ fanfare.

Unfortunately, the pandemic grew much worse than we expected. We lived through a lengthy period of unprecedented and unpredictable change, and the Spartanburg Philharmonic was unable to perform for a live audience for 18 months. As a result, to be Determined underwent numerous revisions (and a few complete reboots).

Still, the initial concept remained, and the music incorporates many of Haydn’s ideas, musical and dramatic. Ultimately, I used those building blocks to create a “fiddle tune” - one that aims to inspire hope while acknowledging loss.

In some ways, this piece is a dedication to the strength and persistence of our art form in the face of extreme adversity. The tenacity of musicians to share their passion is inspiring to me. Religious-political movements, fascist military regimes, and even global pandemics have worked to silence the stage.

Even today.

But music is: determined to be.