Transition for two strings is a duo for violin and double bass that explores the upper and lower sonic extremes of the string family. The piece was conceived as a fraught dialogue between two instruments that are trying to shout out to each other across a large ‘registral canyon’ that stretches between them. Thus the emptiness of the middle register ‘void’ is as much a part of the piece as the notes that are played. As the piece progresses, each transition into a new section or technique, ie from arco to pizzicato to sul ponticello, brings hope to each instrument that it will connect and be heard by the other.

Transition for two strings is dedicated to my brother Stuart, who has been through a number of transitions in his life, and always hopes to be heard.