2019
8’20”
Program Notes
Whispers Through a Crack in the Clouds depicts the whispering of a distant melody, and how it evolves in time and space. As the piece unfolds, this melodic line grows clearer, until at the end we hear it in its most basic form. The piece opens with a trumpet fanfare, or the “crack” that is forcefully made in the clouds, from which the distant line appears. This sound then evolves in the space, which is achieved due to the spatialized band (represented below). Ideally, the right and left balcony players should be in the wings of the balcony, to the side of the audience, however due to differences of halls they can also be placed behind in a balcony, in the audience to the sides, or on the stage but separated on the left and right side.
Commission/Premiere Information
This piece was commissioned as part of the Hammer and Nail Project at Indiana University, where it was performed by the Symphonic Band under the baton of Eric Smedley.
Spatialized Symphonic Band
Right Balcony
1 Flute
2 Bb Clarinets
Left Balcony
1 Flute
2 Bb Clarinets
Main Ensemble
1 Piccolo/flute
2 Flutes
2 Oboes
2 Bb Clarinets
1 Bass Clarinet
1 Sopr. Saxophone
1 Alto Saxophone
1 Tenor Saxophone
1 Baritone Saxophone
2 Bassoons
4 Horns in F
4 Trumpets in C
2 Trombones
1 Bass Trombone
1 Euphonium
1 Tuba
1 Double Bass