Down a River of Time

Eric Ewazen

Eric Ewazen (trans. James Hile)

General Info

Year: 1999 / 2022
Duration: c. 7:05
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Oboe and orchestra
Publisher: Manuscript
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown

Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo Oboe
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III (div.)
B-flat Bass Clarinet I-II
E-flat Contra Alto Clarinet (or B-flat Contrabass Clarinet)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The piece, which is a contemplative journey through life, was composed as an aria with string orchestra. The oboe emulates the voice as it expresses intense emotional and personal feelings, orchestrating the importance of life’s dreams. Since the oboe is the ultimate expressive instrument — like the human voice — it speaks passionately. Furthermore, the great range of tonal colors and articulation available to the oboist have the ability to dramatically transform the feelings explored.

The work captures the cycle of life in a very virtuosic manner. Each of the movement titles, with their progression — “Past Hopes and Dreams … and Sorrows … and Memories of Tomorrow” — present imagery of traveling down the river of life with its ebb and flow. The first movement, “… Past Hopes and Dreams,” is energetic, like the rushing tide of time. It is a young person’s journey — representing activity, relaxation, peace, hard work and excitement. Flourishes of energetic ostinato patterns create a feeling of water imagery in the solo part as well as the accompaniment allowing hints of impressionism to permeate the movement. Undulation between major and minor tonalities give the sense of a full range of emotional experience from a point of retrospect.

- Program Note by composer

Written for Linda Strommen and the American Sinfonietta.

- Program Note from publisher

The present transcription is of only the first movement of the concerto, … Past Hopes and Dreams.

- Program Note by James Hile

Media

None discovered thus far.

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

• Elmhurst (Ill.) University Wind Ensemble (James Hile, conductor; Julie Popplewell, oboe) - 16 October 2022

Works for Winds by this Composer

• Celestial Dancers (2007)
• Celtic Hymns and Dances (1990/1995)
• Concert Fanfare (2000)
• Concerto for Bass Trombone or Tuba and Wind Ensemble (arr. Allen) (2000)
• Concerto for Bassoon and Wind Ensemble (2004)
• Concerto for Marimba and Chamber Ensemble (orch. Lasley) (1999/2007)
• Concerto for Marimba and Wind Ensemble (orch. Allen) (1999/)
• Concerto for Oboe and Wind Ensemble (2010)
• Down a River of Time (tr. Hile) (1999/2022)
• Fanfarría Castellana (2012)
• Fantasia for Seven Trumpets
• Flight (2004)
• Hold Fast Your Dreams (2010)
• A Hymn for the Lost and Living (2002)
• Legacy (2000)
  • ...Of a Fortress Over a River Valley (2000)
  • ...Of Fields of Glory
  • ...Of Home and Country (2000)
  • Tattoo (2000/2015)
• On Wings of Song (2010)
• Shadowcatcher (1996)
• Southern Landscapes (2004)
• Symphony in Brass (1992)
• Triple Concerto (2013)
• Visions of Light (2003/2006)
• A Western Fanfare (1997)

Resources

• Eric Ewazen website Accessed 14 October 2022