Abstract
Stories for Orchestra is a suite for large orchestra cast in three diverse movements that are entitled “Cortazar,” “Lovecraft,” and “Song of the Valar.” As the title implies, the work was conceived with programmatic elements in mind and attempts to convey a sense of narrative in each movement. While the music explores many different affects of compositional style, there are emphases on polyrhythmic techniques and motivic unity throughout the entire work. The piece is approximately fifteen minutes in duration and is scored for double winds (with doublings for piccolo and contrabassoon), four horns, two trumpets, tenor trombone, bass trombone, tuba, three percussionists, piano, and the standard string complement. Some of the influences that can be discerned include
“spectral” harmony, the “tempo fugues” of Ligeti, West African indigenous music, and American jazz.
|
