Pasión y Fuego
Four Latin Dances for Wind Ensemble
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Duration: ca. 20’
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I. Bulerías II. Danza III. Salsa IV. Tango
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Program Notes This piece of music is the product of an idea that I had been pondering for about four years. The original premise was pretty simple: four Latin dance movements, the first three of which were to originally feature solo instruments that would all come back together for the final Tango movement. As I began to dig into the piece more seriously, a series of decisions lead to the final format, wherein the first three movements all feature different sections of the ensemble (the Saxophone family, the Trumpet section, and the Clarinet family), but still bringing those timbres back in the final movement. This last movement was always going to be a Tango - a dance and style known for being sultry and seductive. The reason for the intertwining of three timbres is to perhaps suggest not just a seduction, but a love triangle. Having had a plan for the final movement, backwards planning lead me to listen to and explore several other Latin dance styles before finally settling on the three that were chosen: the energetic and driving Bulerías (a derivative of the Flamenco), the relaxing, laid-back feeling of the Cuban Danza, and finally the upbeat groove in the Salsa.
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Special Acknowledgements
I would be remiss to not take a moment to extend my warmest thanks to the faculty at West Chester University for their guidance and support throughout this project, as well as the duration of my graduate work: • Dr. Rob Maggio, advisor and thesis committee chair • Dr. Andrew Yozviak, committee member and Wind Ensemble Director • Dr. Adam Silverman, committee member • Faculty of the Theory/Composition Department: Drs. Mark Rimple, Lex Rozin, and Van Stiefel, whose influence in the classroom is reflected in this composition.
Instrumentation 1 Piccolo 2 Flutes 2 Oboes 1 Clarinet in Eb 3 Clarinets in Bb 1 Bass Clarinet in Bb 1 Contrabass Clarinet in Bb 2 Bassoons 2 Alto Saxophones 2 Tenor Saxophones 1 Baritone Saxophone 4 Trumpets in Bb 4 Horns in F 2 Tenor Trombones 1 Bass Trombone 2 Euphoniums 2 Tubas 1 String Bass 1 Piano 6 Percussion:
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Timpani Mallets: Marimba, Xylophone, and Vibraphone Percussion 1: Castanets, Bongos, Guiro, Cymbals, Maracas Percussion 2: Claves, Cymbals, Tom-Toms Percussion 3: Tom-Toms, Bongos, Congas, Cymbals Percussion 4: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Cymbals Note: All Cymbal parts should be played on a suspended cymbal with yarn mallets