Chekov's Gamut

Matthew Howell

General Info

Year: 2021
Duration: c. 18:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Matthew Howell Music
Cost: Score and Parts - (digital) $150.00

Movements

1. Paranoid, Haunted - 2:40
3. Ominous, Brooding - 1:20
3. Furious, Aggressive
4. Frenetic, Perpetual
5. Curious, Inviting
6. Bittersweet, Nostalgic - 2:15
7. Optimistic, Determined - 4:40

Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute (optional doubling Alto Flute)
B-flat Soprano Clarinet (doubling B-flat Contrabass Clarinet)
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone (doubling Tenor Saxophone)
B-flat Trumpet
Horn in F
Trombone
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Percussion, including:

Drum Set, including:

- Floor Tom (low)
- Hi-hat
- Kick Drum
- Ride Cymbal
- Snare Drum
- Tom (2: low and medium)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Chekhov’s Gamut is a play on the literary principle known as Chekhov’s Gun. This is a plot device stating that if a writer includes a critical element in a story (in this case, a gun), it implies its use and makes it necessary for this element to have a role in the plot in some way. I drew from this as well as working with the Frontiers New Music Ensemble at Oklahoma State University in the spring of 2021. Given an eclectic pool of musicians, I found myself running away with the different combinations and possibilities that such a wide range of sounds could produce.

The music is structured in a spectrum of sorts, with each movement bearing no title other than a poetic tempo indication and vaguely representing a color. Starting with very heavy and dark color, the piece progresses from expressionism through Latin jazz and a neotonal waltz towards a bright and jovial post-minimal conclusion. The inclusion of doubled instruments is meant to play on the color spectrum and Chekhov’s Gun alike. The piece presents a wide group of instruments to be drawn from to change the tonal color and present different instruments of consequence alike.

- Program Note by composer

Media

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

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Oklahoma State University (Stillwater) Frontiers New Music Ensemble (Tyler Austin, conductor) - 19 March 2021 *Premiere Performance*

Works for Winds by This Composer

20 Short Stories (2019)
Ad Infinitum (2020)
Adagio and Allegro (as arranger) (2019)
Autobiographical Meditations (2019)
Bari Me (2019)
Bolero (as transcriber; arr. Zappa) (1928/2020)
Chekov's Gamut (2021)
Chroma (2020)
Excerpts from "The Rite of Spring" (as arranger) (2020
False Dichotomy (2019)
Four Memories (2019)
Fridge Box Special (2020)
Fugue and Inversion (2020)
Impromptu for Saxophones (2019)
Organic Plastic (2020)
Overture to Candide (as arranger) (1955/2020)
Painted Desert (2020)
Plurality (2020)
Primal Refuge (2020)
Rolling Thunder (as arranger) (2020)
"Ruslan and Ludmilla" Overture (as arranger) (1842/2020)
Skullduggery (2020)
Vistas (2020)

Resources

Matthew Howell website Accessed 21 January 2021