In Contrary Winds (2019)
commissioned by the Akropolis Reed Quintet for the Mostly Modern Festival
reed quintet (oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, bassoon, and bass clarinet)
Duration: 4 minutes
Performances:
Premiere by Akropolis Reed Quintet at the Arthur Zankel Music Center, Mostly Modern Festival, June 27, 2019
Program Note:
In Contrary Winds is inspired by a quote attributed to Peter Marshall:
“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.”
The image of the oak tree was both vivid and powerful to me, and a reed quintet, inherently full of timbral possibilities, seemed to be the perfect ensemble to recreate this image musically. The oak tree is represented by two melodic themes, which are enveloped by flurries of notes to represent the wind. In Contrary Winds constantly and quickly changes between the two themes as the oak is jostled in the wind. As the winds grow stronger, the rhythmic activity becomes more frantic with polyrhythm, polymeter, and hockets.