This piece was fun to write, and I enjoyed the collaboration with master teacher Margaret Thornhill and her players. The first movement plays out my fascination with the theoretical correlation between colors and sounds, though not in a scientific way. The middle movement is another of my nature pieces, immersed first in high mountain moonlight, then in wind in pine trees. You can also listen to my pre-concert talk at the premiere of the full work.
| Listen | Score | Title | Scoring | Dur. | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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3 Outside | Clarinet Choir (Eb clarinet, 7 Bb clarinets, alto clarinet, 2 bass clarinets, contra-alto clarinet) | 17′ | 2008 | |
| Order This» | Three very different movements, each projecting a distinct energy–mechanical, natural, human–in a different outdoor setting, Written for Los Angeles Clarinet Choir, Margaret Thornhill, director. | Pre-concert talk by the composer |
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Notes» | |
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I. Magic Fountain | 4’20 | |||
| Music for the eyes, all about color and movement. Playful showpiece evoking the variant patterns and splashy exuberance of a programmed multi-jet “dancing waters” fountain display with colored lights. Gradually develops direction to a culmination. Brief vocal splash effects at end. | |||||
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II. Moon Song | 6′ | |||
| Slow music for the heart, all about melody. The aching mystery of full-moon light on high-mountain pines. Light breeze, then full wind over a chorus of plaintive sadness, winding back to the still moon, ending on a lonely question. Soulful lead clarinet solo. | |||||
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III. Hill Dance | 7′ | |||
| Music for the body, all about rhythm. Lively Bulgarian-style 5/8 folk dance up in hill country. Showy solos for Eb, Bb, bass clar. Slower middle with Jewish-flavor circle-dance tunes, almost drunk. Wild loud fast ecstatic ending. Hoy! | |||||