Program Notes: Age Of...

Age Of...
   for flute, soprano sax, horn and tuba
     I. Reflection
     II. Development
     III. Rebirth

Composed: Winter 1998
Premiere: 1998

Age Of... is my first mixed-ensemble piece.

Reflection - As the title suggests, this movement depicts an individual as they look back on their life.  The soloistic flute line depicts the thoughts of the individual.  The other three voices (soprano sax, horn and tuba) are designed to create a darker background to the somewhat “bright” Flute line.  These voices also represent the experiences and/or people whom the individual has encountered and been involved with in one way or another through out their life.

Development - This movement is technically more difficult than the first.  This movement is designed to show the individual’s growth and change period.  In the middle of this movement--measures 13 to 39--there is a conversation between the flute and tuba.  This conversation is between the left and right sides of the brain.  Within this conversation growth and change are born.  Meanwhile the soprano sax and horn keep a steady rhythm showing that even though times maybe turbulent, stability exists.

Rebirth - This is the fastest and most rhythmic movement.  The movement depicts a renewal of life.  In this movement the instruments play independent lines depicting the various new experiences and people that the individual will encounter.  While this final movement abruptly ends, it should be performed in a way in which the listener gets the sense that this is not the end of one’s life.  Instead it is only the beginning of a new life...