March 6th, 2022
2020 Bangor Symphony Commissioning Prize
sponsored by the Ellis-Beauregard Foundation
“Fascinating new piece…” Bangor Daily News
16″
INSTRUMENT LIST
Flute 1 & 2/picc.
Oboe 1 & 2
Clarinet 1 & 2
Bassoon 1 & 2
Horn 1, 2, 3, 4
Trumpet in B-flat 1 & 2
Trombone 1 & 2
Bass Trombone
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion 1 – Bass Drum, Temple Blocks, Xylophone, Crotales (top octave), Cowbells (2), Whip (shared with Perc 2)
Percussion 2 – Tam Tam, Whip (shared with Perc 1), Suspended Cymbal, Snare Drum, Vibraphone (with working motor and bows)
Percussion 3 – Crash Cymbal, Tom-Toms (12″, 14″ 16″), set of Bongos, Glockenspiel
Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Violoncello
Double Bass (with C extension)
PROGRAM NOTE
This piece is about the joy of travel (inspired by the wanderlust I live with), and the title comes from a travel quote that keeps coming up for me online:
“Escape and breathe the air of new places”
It is an interesting quote considering what we all have been enduring the past few years. I find myself escaping whenever it is logistically possible and was fortunate to be in residence in Maine for the entire month of September to spontaneously explore and discover what makes it special.
“The Air of New Places” pertains to the pearls and perils of any trip worth taking:
– “Just Go” is about deciding, going, and arriving
– “Ambling” is about being carefree while wandering around someplace new (while also accidentally running into a parade in the city square)
– “Before Sunrise” is about being up early before the sunrise during the blue hour, deep in reflection, then witnessing the glory of the first glimpse of the sun
– “Trouble, then Paradise” starts off with some unexpected issues while traveling, then stumbling upon someplace really profound.
Many, many thanks to the Ellis-Beauregard Foundation for their generous Composer Award that made this possible, to Lucas Richman and Brian Hinrichs for fearlessly leading the Bangor Symphony Orchestra during these times, and to Donna McNeil of the Ellis-Beauregard Foundation who welcomed me to Maine and allowed me to spend time in a place that never ceases to amaze me.