Fantastic Dreams
Symphonic Winds and Percussion
Manhattan Beach Music
Frank Ticheli
FANTASTIC DREAMS FRANK TICHELI
Piccolo
Bb Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet
Eb Contra Alto Clarinet (use only in absence of Bb Cbs. Clarinet)
Bb Contrabass Clarinet
Timpani
2 Percussion 1
Marimba; Bongos; Suspended Cymbal (med. small); Crotales (Low E and G) bow required 2 Percussion 2
Xylophone; Triangle (med.); Hi-hat; Snare Drum; Suspended Cymbal (med.)
2 Percussion 3
Vibraphone; China Cymbal; Ratchet; Claves; Tom Toms (4); Suspended Cymbal (small); Crash Cymbals 2 Percussion 4
Slapstick (lg.); Temple Blocks (5); Cabasa; Triangle (sm.); Tambourine; Suspended Cymbal (med. lg.); Bass Drum (lg.); *Glockenspiel (*needed only if pianist is unavailable)
FANTASTIC DREAMS
Fantastic Dreams was commissioned by the Davis Commissioning Project for the San Diego State University Wind Symphony, Shannon Kitelinger, conductor.
Te world premiere was given by the San Diego State University Wind Symphony, Shannon Kitelinger, conductor, at the College Band Directors National Association Western/Northwestern Division Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 29, 2024
ABOUT THE WORK
FANTASTIC DREAMS was composed during a sixweek residency in the late summer and early fall of 2023 at the MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Te work’s four short movements really dreamscapes are wide ranging in mood and style, yet connected via shared musical motives, gestures, and themes.
“Dancing with the Muses” bursts forth ecstatically, settling into a series of short, light-hearted variations, each showcasing a diferent instrument or group bassoon, oboe, horns, alto saxophones, trumpets. Short episodes and ghostly gestures interrupt the variations, like unrelated thoughts interrupting a dream.
“Elysian Fields” is a meditation directly infuenced by my quiet morning walks at the MacDowell Colony amid peaceful forests and meadows. Quiet, unhurried lyrical lines foat over a gentle walking motif that lilts back and forth like a lullaby.
“Magic Carpet” is a brisk two-minute scherzo that whirls and whisks in daring fight. At the midpoint, a respite featuring solo oboe and fute with celesta is but a moment to catch one’s breath before hurtling on again in magical fight.
Te dream journey takes a dark turn:
“L.A. Noir” pays tribute to old Hollywood’s flm noir tradition: A frantic chase scene, a dark fgure lurking in the shadows, a moment of quiet, anxious anticipation. Midway through, the calm oboe melody from the scherzo’s middle section reappears, now in a more menacing atmosphere. Te suspense builds relentlessly, the music culminating in a ferocious roar that suggests the melodramatic endings typical of many flm noir pictures.
FRANK TICHELI
I. Dancing with the Muses
II. Elysian Fields
PUBLISHERS AND COFOUNDERS
PRINTED BY CHERNAY PRINTING, INC.
MANHATTAN BEACH MUSIC
BOB MARGOLIS – NEIL RUDDY
