The Only Way
The Only Way was composed April 11th through 13th 2009. The first three notes sing the title. As with other work from this composer this piece harkens to Brahms or Schumann in its romanticism. Per the indication in the score “with much rubato” the opening A section speaks almost without reservation from the Romantic tradition with the exception of syncopation in the melody. The B section delivers a more contemporary jazz harmonic feel and then transitions into a secondary theme with Tchaicovsky-like buildup culminating in climax. After calming down we return to repeat what has been said transposed down a fourth. This time we come out of climax a bit differently landing us right back to the initial tonal center for a concluding restatement of the primary theme with minor development carrying us to the end.
In no other way.
Here is a recording of a performance of The Only Way by Bill Doerrfeld recorded on May 22, 2011