Description
Program Note
In conceiving of Embers to Ash, I was interested in both the physical and emotional meanings of these words. Embers are the smoldering remains of a fire, while ash is the powdery reside that remains after a fire, as well as being a pale shade of gray. However, both have double meanings: embers can also refer to slowly fading emotions, memories, or relationships, and ash can mean feelings of remorse, regret, and nostalgia. Ash is also a type of tree, something alive and growing. These definitions reminded me of the mythological creature of the phoenix, a bird that is cyclically reborn from the ashes of the fire in which its previous life had ended. Embers to Ash is structured around these concepts: fire, decay, a gray-like stasis, and finally, a sense of rebirth and renewal. Embers to Ash was the winner of the 2016 CU Wind Ensemble Composition Competition and was premiered in Macky Auditorium in Boulder, CO on April 20, 2017.
Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1, 2
Oboe 1, 2
English Horn
Clarinet in E♭
Clarinet in B♭ 1, 2, 3
Bass Clarinet in B♭
Bassoon 1, 2
Contrabassoon
Alto Saxophone 1, 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet in B♭ 1, 2, 3
Horn in F 1, 2, 3, 4
Trombone 1, 2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Double Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion 1 (bass drum, tom-toms)
Percussion 2 (tam-tam, glockenspiel, suspended cymbal, wind chimes)
Percussion 3 (xylophone, chimes, snare drum)
Percussion 4 (vibraphone, marimba, crash cymbals, triangle)
