cu-\? Karim Al-Zand, Associate^rofessor Composition and Theory

Transcription

1 RICE UNIVERSITY The Four Winds for Orchestra by Luke Carlson A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE Master of Music APPROVED THESIS COMMITTEE: cu-\? Karim Al-Zand, Associate^rofessor Composition and Theory Anthony BrandtJLAssociate'Prbfessor Composition and Theory Pierre Jalberf, Associate Professor Composition and Theory HOUSTON, TEXAS APRIL 2010

2 UMI Number: All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMT Dissertation Publishing UMI Copyright 2010 by ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This edition of the work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml

3 Copyright Luke Carlson 2010

4 ABSTRACT The Four Winds for Orchestra by Luke Carlson It is my intent to portray the "Four Winds" in an abstract way, painting a musical impression in each movement. To facilitate this, I am treating each wind as a unique character and featuring one of the four families of orchestral instruments in each movement. The first, entitled "Squall," is brisk and energetic, like a coastal breeze blowing from the West. It is represented by the string section which soars in dense clouds of pitch clusters. "Zephyr" is calm and light, like a cold and bitter Northern wind. The percussion propels the motion in a subtle and delicate fashion. The third wind is a warm, sweltering Southern wind, featuring richly orchestrated woodwind chorales; it is entitled "Sirocco," after the hot, dusty and humid Saharan wind. "Cyclone" is the final wind that blows from the East. Its mood is unrelenting, fierce and overpowering; it features the brass as apocalyptic messengers.

5 Instrumentation 3 Flutes Fl. 1 doubles Alto flute Fl. 3 doubles Piccolo 3 Oboes 3 Clarinets in Bl> 1 Bass Clarinet 3 Bassoons Bsn. 3 doubles Contra bassoon 4 Horns in F 3 Trumpets in C 2 Tenor Trombones 1 Bass Trombone Tuba Timpani Percussion: Percussion 1: Slaptstick 6 Tom Toms Vibraphone Percussion 2: Snare Drum Suspended Cymbal Tarn Tarn Glockenspiel Percussion 3: Marimba Large Bass Drum Tarn Tarn Toms Percussion 4: Small Bass Drum Piano Celesta Harp Violin I Violin II Viola Cello Double Bass Performance Notes The gesture on the timpani (Mvt. Ill) is achieved by placing a cymbal on the drum head, as shown in the illustration. 0 Program Notes "The Four Winds" takes its title from the Bible. They are mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments: from the Old Testament, Ezekiel 37:9, "Come from the four winds, 0 breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live." And from the New Testament, Revelation 7:1, "I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding bock the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree." These "winds" are physical and spiritual; constructive and destructive; literal and figurative. They refer both to giving life and causing death and it is this mysterious dichotomy, as well as the wondrous imagery of the winds, that serves as the inspiration for this music. It is my intent to portray these "Four Winds" in an abstract way, painting a musical impression in each movement. To facilitate this, I am treating each wind as a unique character unto itself and featuring one of the four families of orchestral instruments in each movement. The first, entitled "Squall," is brisk and energetic, like a sudden coastal breeze blowing from the West. It is represented by the string section which soars in dense, but not overly dissonant, clouds of pitch clusters. "Zephyr," the second movement, is calm and light, like a cold and bitter Northern wind. The percussion propels the motion in a subtle and delicate fashion. The third wind is a warm, sweltering Southern wind, featuring richly orchestrated woodwind chorales; it is entitled "Sirocco," after the hot, dusty and humid Saharan wind. "Cyclone" is the final wind that blows from the East. Its mood is unrelenting, fierce and overpowering; it features the brass as apocalyptic messengers. % Luke Carlson

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15 II. Zephyr 10 Coldly (J = C.46) 2 Clarinets in Bt 4 Horns in F 3 Trombones

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19 III. Sirocco 14 Warmly (J = c. 60) 2 Clarinets in Bb Contra bassoon 3 Trumpets in C 3 Trombones H - h [, (let all notei vibrate) =4^3= 'I'll 3IJJ" 'j.jj'u- 1^^ 1^^*"' ^'^^

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23 IV. Cyclone 18 Furiously (J = c. 144) 3 Clarinets in Bk 3 Bassoons 4 Horns in F 3 Trombones * All gliss. should be played as written, not as port.

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25 02 r r r rrrrr r ium C-TCCCr r I r f f P' r rirrrr rrcrrr r l f r.rkt f =fg

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27 22 Jfi w^rr 2^^ ^,2- JST A little Broader (J = c. 132) Si J^ JST jm i.. I'f V»r»fe;

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29 24

30 (cresc.) Tomi) (cresc.)

31 occel. Tempo I (J = C.144) 26

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