Whispers in the Wind

Dale Sakamoto

General Info

Year: 2020
Duration: Indeterminate
Difficulty: II-III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Leading Tones Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $30.00

Instrumentation (Flexible)

Full Score
Part 1

Flute
Oboe
B-flat Soprano Clarinet
Violin

Part 2

B-flat Soprano Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
Violin

Part 3

B-flat Tenor Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet
Horn in F
Viola

Part 4

Bassoon
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
Trombone
Tuba
Cello

Percussion

Found instruments
Wind Chimes (2)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The beginning of my life was spent in Chicago, and because my family is from the region I have come back often over the years. One of my favorite places to go is the Art Institute where one of my favorite paintings hangs “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte”. What I love about this painting is that you can stare at it from far away as one work and up close it becomes a completely different piece. The pointillistic elements all combine together with their unique individuality to form a cohesive piece. That is my goal for Whispers in the Wind.

Whispers in the Wind is a soundscape piece that involves listening and interacting with the ensemble as a whole. The individuality of each instrument's timbre and performer’s response time is amalgamated into the whole. Although you may be slower to respond or may even miss an entrance remember: IT IS OK! Your contribution to this piece is only improved and magnified by the diversity of your fellow ensemble members.

In the wake of the BLM [Black Lives Matter] protests I have tried to become more cognizant of Black artists, authors and musicians. After finishing the powerful book The Hate U Give I realized how ignorant and short-sighted my own knowledge of Black culture and community is. This has led me on quite a journey discovering amazing podcasts to literature and music which I’m trying to diversify. I think the most important thing that we can do as a society is listen to these oppressed voices and embrace the change that is coming.

- Program Note by composer

Performance Notes

Whispers in the Wind uses box/cellular and time notation. What this means is the time elements indicated in each section i.e., 1 (25” – 30”) approximates the times for each section, although it is up to the discretion of the conductor to extend or decrease this length.

The score was designed to be played by a beginner or advanced player. If a note is out of range for a player, it can be formed an octave lower or higher. Because rhythms are flexible, if a student only knows a quarter and half note, it is possible to play those the entire time as well. This score is meant to be improvisatory and aleatoric.

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Whispers in the Wind (Flex instrumentation) (2020)

All Wind Works

Out of the Morass
Thunderbird
Whispers in the Wind (Flex instrumentation) (2020)

Resources

Dale Sakamoto website Accessed 11 December 2020
Perusal score