Differences was composed for cellist Derek Snyder and is comprised of five short movements, very much like a Baroque suite – however, the five individual pieces are radically different from each other in style and content. Strand is a kind of pop tune where the cello has the vocal line, although the rhythms are a bit more complex, sometimes jarring. Air takes its language from the Baroque, and the title refers to the “canto” style of long legato vocal lines over a slow and undulating accompaniment. Country Dance is a peasant tune whose middle section is very pastoral. Blues is a small chance for the performers to show a little soul. Song, like Strand, is a pop tune, though a bit more direct than the opening movement. Differences is also available for Viola and Piano.
