Meet Megan Mason, Violist, AND Composer!

On Sunday, March 6, as part of the Utah Viola Society’s Spring Viola Recital, Megan will be performing her original Sonata for Solo Viola entitled “Delayed.”

In Megan’s words:

The solo viola sonata is called “Delayed,” and I’ll be playing the 3rd movement (Fog) and 4th movement (Following Carlow).

The suite is about some of the craziest airport delays/cancellations/layovers I’ve had in my touring career (something I think everyone can relate  to!) I first wrote the fourth movement while lying across Dublin airport chairs, trying to rearrange travel in three languages and get the Irish folk tune “Follow Me Down to Carlow” out of my head. I gave up trying to sleep and instead wrote a character piece, which I’ve recently been expanding into a full suite.

The two movements are quite contrasting. “Fog” has some Hindemith-like elements and describes the very haunting experience of being fogged in at the Baltimore Airport for 24 hours, the day after the horrific Newtown shootings. “Following Carlow” is, by contrast, upbeat and tonal, with a hint of obsession and some ridiculous airport noises thrown in for good measure.

While I have performed “Following Carlow” a few times, “Fog” is brand new, and this will be its premier.

Come hear Megan’s new piece at the Utah Viola Society Recital on Sunday, March 6, 3pm at Dumke Recital Hall, University of Utah!