The music is built around two strongly contrasted themes. The first could be described as moody and intense. It first appears in the form of a fugato by the four saxophones. The second theme gradually emerges throughout the piece, finally being heard in its entirety as a trumpet solo in the closing minutes. I would characterise it as joyful but also assertive. All the remaining material, including the up-surging opening figure in the clarinets, is derived from one or both of these themes. For much of the piece they are treated in a polarised manner – with highly contrasted registers and textures. As they move closer together it becomes clear that they are the two sides of the same coin.

Robert Petrella himself directed a very expressive and warmly received premiere performance on December 5, 2008 in the impressive auditorium of the Northern Virginia Community College.

Christopher Marshall
Orlando, Florida, 2009

1 Picc. 3 Fl. 1 Ob. 1 EbCl. 4 BbCl. 1 BassCl. 2 Alt.Sax. 1 Ten.Sax. 1 Bar.Sax. 2 Bsn. // 4 FHn. 3 BbTpt. 3 Tbn. 1 Euph. 1 Tba. // 1 Str.Bass 1 Timp. 5 Perc.

Duration:

±6″

Difficulty:

Grade 5

Star Music Publishing, where you can view and purchase the score and also hear a very fine performance by the Banda Sinfónica de la Provincia de Córdoba, directed by Laszlo Marosi.

Reviews/Comments:

“….a joy to perform and an inspiration to listen to….”
“….pleasurable, inspiring, and playful….”