Difficulty: Easy to Advanced Intermediate
Commissioned for the 2022 MGI Myrna Sislen Youth Guitar Competition 2022, these three pieces were the required repertoire for the three competition levels: Youth, Junior, and Senior.
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Shifting Sands No. 1-3
Commissioned for the MGI Myrna Sislen Youth Guitar Competition
A little about each composition:
Shifting Sands No. 1
MGI Myrna Sislen Youth Guitar Competition Youth Division - 12 years old and younger
Comprised of short sections that overall resembles a Rondo Form, with many modifications, ABCA¹DA¹¹
A - (4/4) Serves as an introduction to the key, which is an Arabian-like mode in A (much like harmonic minor, but sometime has a raised 4th scale degree). Also introduces slightly odd phrase lengths (5 measures) as well as hemiola-like counter-rhythms that make the meter feel as though it is shrinking at the end of the section to create a push to the next section as well as appropriately “shift” as with the title of the piece.
B - (4/4 with brief 6/4 at end of phrases)Two phrases, each comprised of smaller semi-phrases, utilizing the previously introduced mode by arpeggiating through various chords. This section only focuses on harmony and does not contain a melody.
C - (3/4, ending in 4/4) With a meter change and moving bass notes for the first time in the piece, this section creates a true sense of intensity and urgency at which the other sections only hinted.
A¹ - (4/4) The introduction returns with a parallel mode change to a more uplifting major-ish mode.
D - (3/4) A completely contrasting section with lyrical melody and lush harmony utilizing the mode introduced in A¹
A¹ - (4/4) Very similar to the original A section with emphasis on “shifting” and leading to a satisfying conclusion
Shifting Sands No. 2
MGI Myrna Sislen Youth Guitar Competition Youth Division - 13-15 years of age
A dance utilizing an Arabian-like mode in F with a B section modulating to Ab/G#
A - (2/4) This section is a rondo-like form on it’s own with returns of the opening 5 measure dance section returning after improvisational sounding forays into the mode that build to a climax. The final dance return uses an Ab pedal in the bass to assist a common tone modulation to the B section.
B - (5/4) A very slow contrasting section focused upon shifting a melody over rhythmically simple accompaniment movements. Accompaniments feature adventurous chord choices and many dissonances that must be navigated by the performer.
Shifting Sands No. 3
MGI Myrna Sislen Youth Guitar Competition Youth Division - 16-18 years of age
A dance reminiscent of a Colombian Cumbia utilizing an Arabian-like mode in D and then modulating to a slow contrasting section in F. Overall form: A trans B(aba) A C D
A - (2/2) A syncopated introduction. This is definitely one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever written and I love it!
transition - A punchy intro to the feel of the upcoming true dance section.
B - The true “A” section, really, which features short melodic pieces with punches of rhythmic harmonic work between. This section is overall its own Ternary Form (aba) with it's b section comprised of a metrically shifting melody, kind of like a hemiola, that is accompanied by a very “on the nose” and booming half note accompaniment in the bass.
C - (4/4) Starting with a false key change (seems to be A at first) the key is shortly after revealed to be F Major. This section is written and should be performed in a very free and improvised way. Focused almost entirely upon a beautiful high melody which is then emphasized with lush harmony periodically.
D - In stark rhythmic contrast with the C section, D features a lush bass melody that rhythmically shifts with it’s accompaniment, never really sure if it should be on the beat or syncopated.
Closing chords - The piece closes with three dense chords that function to close out both keys, the original D and the slow sections’ F.
Destination Unknown
Original Compositions I
Solo Guitar Vol. 1
Format: CD
A collection of dark but always understandable solo guitar compositions that range in style from quasi-12-tone to Latin inspired dances to elegy. All compositions composed and performed by Kevin J. Cope.
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Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
This anthology includes all compositions on the Destination Unknown CD, twenty pieces in total.
Pieces included:
Pneuma
Suite No. 1 - I. Tango de lat Tentadora, II. Sikah Baladi, III. Medianoche Habanera, IV. Saba Busalik
Solstices
Ithnaan Maqamat - I. Zandjaaran, II. Suzdil
Ayoub
Kuitra
Five Studies - I. II. III. IV. V.
Quatre pieces breves - I. Prelude, II. Toccata, III. Waltz, IV. Fantasia
Twilight at the Dawn
Difficulty: Advanced/Professional
Commissioned for the 2018 Philadelphia Classical Guitar Competition to be performed as the set piece in the adult division finals on April 8, 2018. The piece swings from many different emotional states often with a jazz flair. The title refers to one of the original descriptions of the mental illness now known as Bipolar Disorder. "Folie Circulaire" translates as circular insanity in French.
Difficulty: Early Intermediate to Intermediate
In 2012 I started attending guitar festivals and handing out a free one page composition to guitarists. In 2016, the fifth of these pieces has now been added to my free solo guitar compositions. Several of these pieces will be on my upcoming CD "Destination Unknown" as well.
Pieces included:
Pneuma
First Dance
Solstices
Ithnaan Maqamat - I. Zandjaaran, II. Suzdil
Ayoub
Difficulty: Advanced
Written for guitarist Brian Bard, Kuitra utilizes the modes of the Middle East in a unique manner by creating a jazz influenced harmonic scheme that leaves the listener deceived as to the true nature of the mode. The piece features an exciting rasgueado section.
Difficulty: Late Intermediate to Advanced
Comprised of four Latin dances that can be played separately or as a set:
I. Tango de la Tentadora
II. Sikah Baladi (son)
III. Medianoche Habanera
IV. Saba Baladi (tango)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Five studies focusing on five techniques suggested by fellow guitarists; finger independence, second string tremolo, walking bass line, right hand percussion, and five and six string arpegios with thumb. Each piece has its own character while maintaining an overarching texture and tone to make them function best when performed together. However, they can be performed individually as well.
Difficulty: Advanced
Quatre pieces breves is a four movement work with a great deal of composition variety. Each movement was written with a different technique creating a unique character for each piece.
SHORT PIECES
Difficulty: Early Intermediate
Commissioned by my student, James Blake Mitchell, this piece is a study in campanella (cross stringing). It’s a bit dark and about two minutes in length.
Difficulty: Intermediate
I started a little series on Youtube to motivate myself to experiment for fun with various compositional ideas called “Theory Playtime", this piece is from Episode 2. The idea stemmed from a YouTube video that I saw that focused on the rarity of songs written using only minor chords, so I decided to write a whole classical guitar piece that uses only minor chords (with various extensions for some spice).
Difficulty: Easy
A short piece that was written for my mother. It’s slow, dramatic, dark, and rather Spanish in quality.
Twilight at the Dawn
Difficulty: Easy/Early Intermediate
This piece was written as an elegy for my cousin that died tragically in 2014.
Two Lullabies
Difficulty: Easy
Two lullabies written for my niece Victoria and my nephew Alexander. Sweet, melodic, and uncomplicated pieces.
Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate
A short piece written for a wedding in Drop D tuning
Difficulty: Easy
A short piece written for a student. Intended to be like a modern day pop song for classical guitar, in the vein of Taylor Swift.