Symphonies

From Wind Repertory Project
Jeff Tyzik

Jeff Tyzik


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General Info

Year: 2021
Duration: c. 23:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Unknown
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown


Movements

1. Into the Light
2. Valse Macabre
3. Reverie
4. Things to Come


Instrumentation

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


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

I have so many fond memories of my time as a member of the Eastman Wind Ensemble (EWE) under the direction of Donald Hunsberger in my years as an Eastman student in the early 1970s.With that in mind, I was excited to contribute a new piece for the EWE when my great friend Mark Scatterday, current director of the EWE, asked if I would write a new composition in honor of the Eastman School Centennial. I’ve written numerous pieces for the EWE over the last 20 years at Mark’s suggestion, and for this occasion we decided on a four-movement suite titled Symphonies.

This new piece was composed during the pandemic as I began to feel very hopeful about the future and the value of music in how it can lift the human spirit. I have always been a “melodic” composer and this work, Symphonies, is full of melody set against rich harmonies and exciting rhythms.

The first movement is titled Into the light.It is my positive musical expression of energy, joy and perseverance over the “dark side” of emotions I felt during this difficult time. The second movement is titled Valse Macabre. I had been exploring some thematic ideas based on techniques I developed from my study with Samuel Adler in the early 1990s, and this waltz took shape.

The third movement, Reverie, includes elements from a programmatic suite I composed in 2007. I was walking in the Colorado mountains with my wife Jill one summer in Vail, Colorado. It was incredibly beautiful with all of the wildflowers and pleasantly quiet except for the wind and birds. It was one of the most meditative experiences I’ve ever had and is reflected in this movement. The last movement entitled Things to Come is my expression of hope for the future. There is a very short motif that is played just after the fanfare introduction that comes back in many different forms as the piece progresses. The “dark side” surfaces for a short time and is driven away by the strength of a “chorale” and big sonorous treatment of the initial motif.

I’m always inspired by hearing the young and very talented musicians of the EWE and I’m honored to have the opportunity to compose for them thanks to Mark Scatterday.

- Program Note by composer


Media

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State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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  • Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Mallory Thompson, conductor) - 17 February 2023
  • Eastman School of Music (Rochester, N.Y.) Wind Ensemble (Mark Scatterday, conductor) - 2 March 2022 *Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

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