CHIAROSCURO

Chiaroscuro
Three sketches for Symphonic Wind Band

for symphonic band

• composition date: 2015/16
• duration: ca. 19 min.
• commission: Banda Sinfónica Portuguesa [Portuguese Symphonic Band]
• dedication:
  «To the Portuguese Symphonic Band, its musicians and its artistic director, Francisco Ferreira, in deep friendship and as recognition for their outstanding effort in promoting Portuguese music during this first decade of their existence.»
• movements:
  I – [Maestoso, sostenuto assai ]
  II – [Grave]
  III – [Con anima]
• detailed orchestration:
  picc. (= fl. 3.)/ 2 fl./ 2 ob./ eng. hr./ 2fg./ Eb clar./ clar.: I, II & III in Bb (min. 4 each)/ bass clar./
  sop. sax / alto sax/ 2 ten. saxs/ bar. sax/ 4 hr./ 3 trpt./ 2 flug. (= trp. 4. & 5.)/ 2 ten. trbn./
  bass trbn./ 2 euph. (or baritones)/ tubas (min. 2)/ cb. (opt.)/ timp./ 5 perc.* / piano (opt.)* percussion details:
  1. [mallets]: vibraphone; xylophone; marimba; glockenspiel (shared with Perc. 2 & 4)
  2. tubular bells; glockenspiel (shared with Perc. 1 & 4); 3 bongos [very high/ high / medium-high]; suspended cymbal [small]; 3 log-drums; 3 tom-toms; 5 wood-blocks
  3. 3 suspended-cymbals [small / medium / large]; hi-hat; triangle; slapstick [whip]; tambourine; wind chimes [mark-tree]; cymbals a2 (shared with Perc. 4)
  4. glockenspiel (shared with Perc. 1 & 2); large thunder sheet [a large tam-tam may substitute]; very high bongo; triangle; tam-tam (shared with Perc. 5); cymbals a2 (shared with Perc. 3); snare-drum; slapstick [whip]
  5. bass-drum; tam-tam (shared with Perc. 4); tambourine; high tom-tom; sleigh-bells; vibraslap; triangle
• premieres:
  (1st. version, in two movements)
  24/January/2016 | Casa da Música, Porto | Portuguese Symphonic Band/ dir. Francisco Ferreira
  (2nd. version, in three movements)
  29/July/2016 | Teatro Ribeiro Conceição, Lamego | Portuguese Symphonic Band/ dir. Francisco Ferreira

«CHIAROSCURO – three sketches for Symphonic Wind Band» (2015-16) structure explores a fast-slow-fast classical arch, where each individual movement deals with distinctive technical-musical concerns. The first explores a process known as metric modulation, where different tempi are chained through metric/metronomic interrelationships at various levels; the second, in total contrast, is static and introspective, with a single and immutable tempo from beginning to end, featuring a long trombone solo, shadowed by the comments of a second muted trombone; lastly, the third, lively and agitated, retrieves the metrical irregularity of the first but in a more dancing manner, with metric alternation almost every bar. In spite of these particularities, CHIAROSCURO is, in essence, an eminently abstract piece whose title is borrowed from the Renaissance painting technique which characterizes by expressive light and shadow contrasts. This work is dedicated to the Portuguese Symphonic Band, its musicians and its artistic director, Francisco Ferreira, in deep friendship and as recognition for their outstanding effort in promoting Portuguese music during this first decade of their existence.

(July/2016)

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https://www.molenaar.com/web/Details.aspx?isartist=0&id=20371

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