Dr. Vera Ivanova, Composer
Vera Ivanova,
composer

'...internationally recognized as an emerging artist of great talent.'

Campus Times (University of Rochester/Eastman)

Children's Games

for mixed quintet (2018)

My piece is in 6 mini-movements: 1. Tin Box 2. Dare 3. La vie en rose 4. Train 5. Bounneur 6. Dare of Dares which capture my personal highlights from the movie. The movie constantly switches kaleidoscopically from childhood’s fantasy world to the boredom of adult life, where the most interesting part seems to be the memories of a childhood imaginary world and a longing for perfect unconditional love.

Program Notes:
How did you imagine your life as an adult when you were a child? And how did it turn out to be? Julien, the main character from the movie, which inspired this piece, “Jeux d’enfants” (“Love me if you dare,” 2003), puts it this way:

“Meet my life at 35. I had everything!
1 wife,
2 kids,
3 buddies,
4 loans,
5 weeks' vacation,
6 years, same company,
7 times my weight in hi-fi,
8 coitions per quarter,
9 times the earth in plastic, polystyrene, and other non-biodegradables,
10 years not seeing my father.
Bliss!”

Talking about numbers… My piece is in 6 mini-movements:
1. Tin Box
2. Dare
3. La vie en rose
4. Train
5. Bounneur
6. Dare of Dares
which capture my personal highlights from the movie. The movie constantly switches kaleidoscopically from childhood’s fantasy world to the boredom of adult life, where the most interesting part seems to be the memories of a childhood imaginary world and a longing for perfect unconditional love. And did I mention that you will hear “La vie en rose” played on a hand saw?

Instrumentation
Flute (+kalimba, melodica, egg shaker), B-flat Clarinet (+mbira), Violin (+egg shaker and optional hand saw), Cello (+ slide whistle), Piano (+triangle, finger cymbals, hard mallet). Instruments in parentheses are available from composer upon request.
Movements
6
Duration
c. ca 15 min.
Premiere
Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble
Score Sample
Pages from Childrens Games-part 3
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Performances:

May 25th, 2024
Children's Games, for mixed quintet (2018) - The Boston New Music Initiative
May 28th, 2022
Children's Games, for mixed quintet (2018) - Inverted Space ensemble
The Chapel (Seattle, WA)
March 25th, 2022
Children's Games, for mixed quintet (2018) - CAMPGround22 guest performers
This performance was choreographed by Central Florida Choreographers collective and performed as part of Contemporary Art Music Project CAMPGround22 festival.
November 25th, 2018
Children's Games, for mixed quintet (2018) - Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble
Saint Petersburg's House of Composers (Saint Petersburg , Russia)
This performance is a part of the 30th "Soundways" festival.
November 20th, 2018
Children's Games, for mixed quintet (2018) - Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble
Moscow House of Composers (Moscow, Russia)
This performance is a part of the 40th International Moscow Autumn Festival.
March 5th, 2018
Children's Games, for mixed quintet (2018) - Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble
This concert is presented by Corvin Chair. More info: www.music.ucsb.edu/news/event/1476
Los Angeles Premiere
March 3rd, 2018
Children's Games, for mixed quintet (2018) - Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble
Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble's “In Transit/Транзит” recital is co-presented by Synchromy and Boston Court Performing Arts Center.
March 1st, 2018
Children's Games, for mixed quintet (2018) - Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble
Salmon Recital Hall (Orange, CA)
This performance is a part of the Chapman University Conservatory of Music "New Horizons" Concert Series.
World Premiere
February 24th, 2018
Children's Games, for mixed quintet (2018) - Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble
Meng Concert Hall (Fullerton, CA)
This performance is a part of the 17th Annual CSUF New Music Festival: Music Across Borders.