Forgotten Skies
My new work for small wind ensemble, Forgotten Skies, was premiered Friday May 11, 2007 by the Williams Symphonic Winds. Click below to listen to the premiere or right-click/control-click here to download the mp3 (11:12, 12.9MB).
Program Note
Forgotten Skies began with a suggestion by Steven Bodner in the fall of 2006 that I write a piece for the Williams Symphonic Winds based on Aaron Copland's Quiet City, a beautiful work for solo trumpet and English horn with string orchestra. Ironically, for me, Quiet City has always brought to mind a sense of wide open space far from cities, so halfway through composing the piece I set off on a search for a way to tie these ideas into the urban-themed concert at which it would be presented.
This search led me to accounts of the night sky during the Northeast blackout of August 2003. From Brooklyn to Detroit, people in cities and suburbs where the fuzzy glow of light pollution has obscured the night sky for decades were treated to a brilliant display of stars. Seeing the night sky full of stars for the first time is something I cannot remember, since it must have happened when I was an infant. I can only imagine the wonderment of such an experience at a later age. I leave it to the listener to decide how much this image, with the thoughts it provokes, and the music have influenced each other.
The music unfolds from a major second sounded by distant tolling chimes. The entire harmonic language of the piece is based on two stacked triads which grow out of the opening material and shift their way through various colors and textures. Reflecting the influence of Quiet City, the English horn takes a soloistic role in the piece, especially in the slower and more pensive moments. Those who are familiar with my interests in music may hear the influence of other composers in Forgotten Skies.
Forgotten Skies was premiered by the Williams Symphonic Winds, directed by Steven Bodner, at their May 11, 2007 concert, "The Best of All Possible Worlds: Urban Reflections and Pastoral Visions," with Ian Jessen as English horn soloist. I extend my warmest thanks to the Symphonic Winds, Steven Bodner, and my teacher, David Kechley. They have been instrumental in helping me to realize Forgotten Skies.
– BPW, May 2007