Program Note

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Sextet for Piano and Winds is a 20-minute piece consisting of 4 movements each exploring pitch-space from one narrow point of view.

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Energetic and disjunct, Movement I is characterized by a sensation of climbing ever upwards, as shifting dynamics and articulations are used to evolve an archetypal gesture. Movement II is somber and restrained, with phrases and ideas ending where the initially began. A tapestry of voicing and orchestration are used to present and represent two pivotal minor chords, sounding ever new in altering configurations. The flow in movement three evokes the downwards cascades of waterfalls, complementing the lifts and ascensions heard in Movement I. Movement IV, a finale, synthesizes the previous movements’ essential characteristics, exploring multi-directionality through space, be it up, down or sitting idly.