Dreams in the Dusk (concerto for saxophone and wind ensemble)

Abstract

Dreams in the Dusk, a concerto for alto saxophone and wind ensemble, is cast in one continuous movement with several varying sections, woven together with similar melodic, motivic, and harmonic material. The instrumentation is: piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, Eb clarinet, 3 Bb clarinets, Bb bass clarinet, Bb contrabass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, solo Eb alto saxophone, Bb soprano saxophone, Eb alto saxophone, Bb tenor saxophone, Eb baritone saxophone, 4 F horns, 3 Bb trumpets, 2 trombones, bass trombone, 2 euphoniums, 2 tubas, double bass, timpani, piano, harp, and 4 percussion (complete percussion list included with score). There are two primary musical gestures that occupy the musical foreground of the piece: the first, a moaning or wailing, which is usually manifest in the form of long, slow portamenti between notes in various melodic structures, and the second, quick crescendi, often orchestrated into either spacious quintal chords or tight harmonic clusters. The melodic groans are a musical mourning, analogues of sung or spoken lamentations. The quick crescendi are used in a variety of contexts and are derived from the musical icon of reverse tape playback effects. Dreams in the Dusk was inspired by a poem of the same name by American poet Carl Sandburg and by walking on a cold, snowy evening at dusk on a farm in rural Michigan, miles from the nearest city. These walks at dusk were a way to cope with the passing of a family member, and Sandburg’s poem not only gave voice to the emotions associated with death, but also served as a catalyst for the form and dramatic arc of the music.