For Fred Lerdahl (2018) by Tyshawn Sorey
for viola, piano, and percussion

For Fred Lerdahl (2018) was composed for the composer-theorist's recent retirement as Fritz Reiner Professor of Music at Columbia University, where he was my principal teacher. This work seeks to pay homage not only to a composer whose music I like very much, but also to one who provided me encouragement and unwavering support during a very long period of self doubt while at Columbia. He almost singlehandedly (along with George Lewis) provided a platform for me to truly believe in myself, to be honest in my own output, and to embrace my interests as an artist, rather than to fight or question them. For these reasons, this composition is dedicated to him and to his influence on many... yours truly included.