Personal Echo (electric violin and digital delay)

This short work for electric violin and digital delay was the result of a challenge set forth by Dr. Stan Gibb of California Polytechnic University in Pomona. In the fall of 2003, Wallin joined the college’s MIDI Ensemble at its genesis, and, when considering what music to have the Ensemble present during its first live performance, its director at the time, Dr. Gibb, had suggested that each instrument show off its unique attributes of MIDI patch-changing (or sound change) ability within the context of solo performances. However, since the electric violin is not MIDI – it is merely amplified and is not controlled by a computer-based language – and therefore cannot change its sound to something other than that of a violin, Wallin decided instead to run her sound through a timed digital delay effect and create a “canon with herself”. Combining a haunting folk-style melody with virtuosic effects, this work is a flourish of stirring harmony and dogged rhythmic control.