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About Vi

I think music should be beautiful on multiple levels. It should not only be accessible and pleasant to hear, but should also contain deeper meaning—secrets contained within which may not be obvious at first listening. I write for real, classical instruments because I love the individual element that a musician can add to a performance.


Below are a few examples of my music compositions.

The pieces are free to play for personal use only, and may not be further distributed without permission.

Piece Recording
Frieze Patterns (2009) see below
One of my current composition projects is a seven-movement piano trio with one movement inspired by each of the seven possible geometric frieze patterns. See my paper on musical symmetry. Here are piano sketches of the first three movements:
1: Dizzy Hop Media player: Click to play (1 min 28 sec)
2: Hop Media player: Click to play (1 min 26 sec)
3: Sidle Media player: Click to play (2 min 18 sec)
Nothing Has Changed (2008) Media player: Click to play (5 min 19 sec)
A short Brahmsian piano solo composed in Dec. 2008. Performed by Vi Hart (on an electric piano).
Harry Potter Septet (2008) recording,
press, etc.
Seven movements, seven voices, inspired by the seven-book Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling (© Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and J. K. Rowling). The few lyrics are all quotes from the books. Approximately 90 minutes for Soprano, Alto, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, and Piano.
Requiem and Kyrie (2005) Media player: Click to play (4 min 40 sec)
Chamber Orchestra and Choir. These two tonal Requiem movements were written and performed at a composer's concert in Spring 2005. The middle section of the first movement is a fugue. This recording is only of the first movement, taken at a rehearsal. Student performance.
Dreamsong II (2004) Media player: Click to play (5 min 14 sec)
String Quartet for Violin, Viola, and Two Cellos. The entire piece is a palindrome: played backwards, the notes are exactly the same. Try listening to the performance backwards! Student performance.
Thing IV (2003) Media player: Click to play (3 min 6 sec)
String Quartet for Violin, Cello, and Two Violas. Student performance.
My Favorite Sky (2005) Media player: Click to play (3 min 19 sec)
Clarinet, Violin, and Piano. This atonal trio was written and premiered in spring 2005. The recording is live from the concert. Student performance.
S-A-S-H-A (2008) Media player: Click to play (3 min 28 sec)
Duet for Piano and Mathematics. Inspired by the paper “Using Binary Numbers in Music”. Performed by Vi Hart.