And the Winds Shall Blow

From Wind Repertory Project
Wayne Peterson

Wayne Peterson


This article is a stub. If you can help add information to it,
please join the WRP and visit the FAQ (left sidebar) for information.


General Info

Year: 1994
Duration:
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Saxophone quartet
Publisher: Unknown
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown


Instrumentation

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

And the Winds Shall Blow was originally commissioned by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Freiburg in Breisgau for the Raschèr Saxophone Quartet in 1994. Through the support of Goethe Foundation, Ethos New Music Society and the Sigurd M. Rascher Fund - SUNY Fredonia, the Fredonia Wind Ensemble has been given the unique opportunity of performing the work with the group for whom it was composed.

And the Winds Shall Blow is written and structured in such a way that the resulting sound is more akin to a full orchestra, rather than a simple pairing of the band with the quartet. The wind ensemble fulfils the role of the wind section, while the quartet is meant to emulate the strings. Thus, the challenge for Peterson became how he would balance the two groups against one another, ensuring that the quartet is not unintentionally drowned out or left overly exposed. Through carefully crafted pairings and grouping of instruments Peterson successfully navigates these issues with aplomb, and the resulting piece can trick even the trained ear into hearing a distinctly orchestral sound. Ken Coon, baritone saxophonist of the quartet, best describes the second movement:

These gestures slowly begin, gradually and often violently develop into a grand culmination which gradually eases back into an extended quartet cadenza, which develops and transitions into the work’s finale, with a seriously cool paired, polyrhythmic bridge that Wayne uses as the main rhythmic motif for the remainder of the work.

After the technical display put on during the cadenza, the rest of the ensemble is slowly reintroduced until the feeling of a full ensemble is reached during the piece’s bombastic conclusion. And the Winds Shall Blow is both a fantastic celebration of the virtuosity of the Raschèr Saxophone Quartet, as well as an impressive showing of what is possible through meticulous orchestration and instrumentation.

- Program Note from State University of New York, Fredonia, Wind Ensemble concert program, 29 February 2020


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • State University of New York, Fredonia, Wind Ensemble (Paula Holcomb, conductor) – 29 February 2020


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Peterson, W. [1994]. And the Winds Shall Blow: A Fantasy for Saxophone Quartet, Winds and Percussion [score]. [s.n.]:[s.l.].