Fray

Tyler Taylor

General Info

Year: 2019
Duration: c. 10:00
Difficulty: VII (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Tyler Taylor
Cost: Score and Parts - $150.00

Instrumentation

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

Bass Drum
Marimba
Snare Drum
Vibraphone
Xylophone

*No parts are doubled.

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

This piece is defined by a conflict between the saxophone quartet and the percussion (including harp and piano). The saxophones deliver long, lyric lines while the percussion perforate these lines with short and jagged gestures. As the piece continues the conflict intensifies as other members of the ensemble stir -- moving in and out of alliances. The title Fray plays both on the meaning of the word as a description of the conflict between the saxophones and percussion, as well as one that might describe the rough edges of a piece of fabric.

Fray is the third of a growing collection of pieces concerned with identity-based conflict, preceded by Liberation Compromise for 17 players and Trialogue for solo English horn. I find these explorations to be particularly relevant, not only to myself but to our society as a whole. However, none pretend to suggest any specific idea or symbol of resolution or reconciliation. I offer these pieces simply as musical manifestations of my own personal struggles with these ideas.

Last, as a musician who grew up performing in various wind bands, I felt in myself and from my fellow performers a desire for music that challenged the prevailing style of the current band repertoire. Inspired by the contributions of Igor Stravinsky, Olivier Messiaen, Paul Hindemith, Vincent Persichetti, Karel Husa, and Brett Dean, I intended to write a piece that might satisfy this desire. When I learned I was to write for the IU [Indiana University] Wind Ensemble, I knew this was my chance.

With special thanks to P. Q. Phan, Rodney Dorsey, Jeff Osarczuk, Aaron Travers, and the Indiana University Wind Ensemble.

- 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

Indiana University (Bloomington) Wind Ensemble (Jeff Osarczuk, conductor) – 19 February 2020 *Premiere Performance*

Works for Winds by This Composer

Fray (2019)
Green Light (2011)
Halcyon Days (2015)

Resources

Tyler Taylor, personal correspondence, September 2020
Tyler Taylor website Accessed 21 September 2020