Images of the Adirondacks, Op. 22 (2024)
wind ensemble
grade 6
ca. 15:00
Commissioned by the Adirondack Wind Ensemble; Daniel Gordon, director
Score/Parts PDF Previews
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Program Notes
In January 2024, Dan Gordon asked if I would be interested in writing a new piece for the Adirondack Wind Ensemble to premiere. He explained that the theme of the concert is "home in the Adirondacks," and he thought I might have an interesting perspective, having recently moved to the area. I enthusiastically agreed to write a piece and began to think about my most vivid first impressions of this beautiful new home.
Mvt. I. Autumn Colors
Autumn is by far my favorite season: the colors, the smells, the cooler temperatures—and it is an exceptionally magical time here in the Adirondacks. I love being outside in nature, and this opening movement is a musical depiction of an early morning walk in the woods. The cold morning sunlight illuminates the frost-covered leaves and twisted branches of majestic oaks and maples. Rising and descending melodies represent leaves that seem to almost dance as they’re carried off by the wind, creating waves of browns and oranges between the trees. Various sections of this movement are punctuated by rhythmic motifs symbolizing acorns falling to the ground.
Mvt. II. Mountain Sunset
I’m always in awe of summer sunsets where the sky seems to erupt with brilliant oranges, reds, and purples. This movement begins with an overcast sky; the clouds float and churn in the distance. About halfway through the movement, the clouds finally part, allowing the warm sun to shine through a kaleidoscope of clouds. While composing this movement, I initially thought of having the instruments represent the sun by writing an orchestrated decrescendo where the music slowly disappears with the sun. However, I felt that this approach would be too obvious and potentially anticlimactic. To me, a sunset becomes gradually more and more dramatic up until the very last moment when the last sliver of sun disappears behind the horizon. With this in mind, my approach to writing this movement changed to having the descending lines counterpointed with increasing intensity that builds to the magical moment when the sun flashes out of view. One additional detail: throughout the orchestrated crescendo, I incorporated the ‘dawn’ motif from Also sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss (spread out between the low brass, horns, and trumpets). Apart from its connection with the sun, the motif is relevant to me personally as it was the very first piece of music I performed since moving to the region (at the SUNY Plattsburgh Symphonic Band Concert on April 25, 2024).
Mvt. III. Tempest
This movement is about my very first trip to the Adirondacks. In August 2023, I drove from Superior, Wisconsin, to Plattsburgh, New York, to conduct the premiere of a new piece I wrote for the Plattsburgh Community Clarinet Choir. Since the reason for my trip was a clarinet choir performance, I decided to start the third movement with the clarinet section. The playful, light accompaniment reflects my initial optimism and excitement of driving through the beautiful Adirondacks. Throughout my journey, patches of light rain came and went, and as the sunlight returned, a thin layer of steam rose from the highway. As I passed Albany and began driving north, it started raining again. Unlike earlier, this rainstorm not only persisted but became heavier and heavier to the point that my windshield wipers struggled to keep up. Right when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, I started to hear the sound of hail hitting my car! Fortunately, I just happened to be approaching an exit, and I took shelter under a gas station canopy until the weather cleared. This movement is my musical depiction of an ever-intensifying storm that became my very first (and now unforgettable) experience in the Adirondacks.
Images of the Adirondacks was premiered by the Adirondack Wind Ensemble on September 22, 2024 at E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium in Plattsburgh, New York.
Performance Notes
Cues
All cues (with three exceptions, see below) are for orientation purposes only and are not to be performed (these cues are only shown in the parts and are not visible in the score).
Oboe and Bassoon Cues
In the event there is no Oboist or Bassoonist:
The Oboe feature in Movement I. measures 72-75 is cross-cued in Flute 1
The Bassoon feature in Movement I. measures 72-75 is cross-cued in Clarinet 2
The Oboe feature in Movement III. measures 186-199 is cross-cued in Clarinet 1
These cues are shown both in the score and the relevant parts.
Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flutes 1, 2
Oboe
Clarinets in Bb 1-3
Bass Clarinet in Bb
Bassoon
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpets in Bb 1-3
Horns in F 1-4
Trombones 1, 2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium (T.C. version included)
Tuba
Percussion 1 (1 Percussionist)
Crash Cymbals; Vibraphone; Suspended Cymbal
Percussion 2 (1 Percussionist)
Tam-tam; Snare Drum; Tambourine
Percussion 3 (1 Percussionist)
Triangle; Glockenspiel
Timpani
Piano Roll Videos
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