Ever the dancer’s composer, Nashville’s own Cristina Spinei was inspired by our daily feature, the Five O’Clock Waltz, when she composed her newest piece.

Spinei, who is a mentor in our Student Composer Fellowship, moved to Nashville in 2015. Upon her arrival she describes a welcoming, supportive and heartfelt artist community. Her two latest releases reflect relationships with two organizations: 91Classical and Nashville Ballet, with proceeds from sales of the pieces, including sheet music, supporting the organizations.

More: Here a preview of Outside/In, for Nashville Ballet, in our Live in Studio C archive.

Five O’Clock Waltz makes use of a felted piano, where fabric has been inserted between the hammers and the strings. The attack is removed, and the vibration of the strings is amplified. Ironically, this dampening of a percussive action makes the strings sound more like bells, ringing throughout the piece.