Kaleidoscopic Overture

From Wind Repertory Project
Lee Actor

Lee Actor


General Info

Year: 2014
Duration: c. 6:30
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Polygames

Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $129.50   |   Score Only (print) - $22.50


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam
  • Wood Block
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Unlike most of my works, the title for Kaleidoscopic Overture was not determined until the piece was completely finished. My initial concept was a bright, energetic, upbeat piece of several contrasting sections, interspersed by references to the opening fanfare heard in the horns. Reflecting on the finished work, with its material undergoing at times nearly continuous motivic and harmonic transformation, suggested the shifting colors of a kaleidoscope. Given its general character as a relatively brief, attention-getting opener, the title Kaleidoscopic Overture seemed natural – and at the very least more descriptive than the working title of "Band Piece."

The piece opens with the aforementioned horn fanfare, a rising motif spanning a major 7th, answered by woodwind trills and a staccato 16th note figure in the trumpets. After a brief but intense harmonic excursion, the energy dissipates until all that is left is a rhythmic figure in the percussion. A solo flute muses calmly on the opening motif, drawing in other elements of the opening section, now seen in a new light. This leads to what appears to be a new, chorale-like theme, but which is actually a transformation of what has already been heard. After this builds to a brief climax, a quiet transition leads to a restatement of the opening, now with a harmonic twist. The closing material is energetically elaborated upon, leading to a more tranquil tempo which, surprisingly, introduces a fugue of sorts based on the opening motif, including an exposition, development, and recapitulation (in stretto). The contrapuntal texture eventually gives way to a final restatement of the opening theme in augmented note values, and a brief coda brings the piece to a triumphant conclusion.

Kaleidoscopic Overture was commissioned anonymously for the Green Valley Concert Band, and written between June and November 2014.

- Program Note by composer


Media

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State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Foothill Symphonic Winds (Palo Alto, Calif.) (David Bruce Adams, conductor) – 6 December 2015


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources