Shifting C's | by Madelyn Byrne

Описание: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 7:00 PM
MELODIES & PSALMS (#106)
Tenri Cultural Institute
43-A West 13th Street
New York, New York

Madelyn Byrne — Shifting C's
— Craig Ketter, piano

Shifting C’s is a pedagogical work that blurs the line between study and expression. At
its heart, the piece explores two intertwined challenges: maintaining a delicate,
continuous ostinato and navigating a landscape of subtle modal and tonal changes.
The first challenge lies in the texture. A quiet, repeating pattern — an ostinato —
flows throughout much of the piece, passing seamlessly from one hand to the other.
The performer is asked to sustain an even tone and a light touch while shaping a
musical line that feels effortless and fluid. The composition also requires the
performer to balance the tension between the simple meter 3 / 4 and the sometimes-
implied compound 12/16 meter. Most of the piece lives in soft dynamics, from
pianissimo to mezzo-piano, creating an atmosphere of quiet focus. Only once, in
measures 38–43, does the music rise to a brief, luminous climax before settling back
into stillness.
The second focus of Shifting C’s is modal/tonal exploration. While the note C serves
as the central anchor, the piece gently shifts through various modes and tonal centers
that hover just above and below it. These subtle modulations create a sense of
movement without disruption — like watching light change color as it passes through
water. To support the student performer, the score includes modal/tonal labels, helping
them identify and internalize the color and character of each shift.
Although designed with pedagogical intent, it is my hope that Shifting C’s offers a
listening experience that extends beyond the practice room. Its quiet persistence and
evolving harmonies invite both performer and audience to reflect on balance, control,
and the beauty that can emerge from small, deliberate changes.

Links:
https://www.newyorkcomposerscircle.or...
https://www.newyorkcomposerscircle.or...