ORCHESTRAL » |
Spring’s Promise |
| Instrumentation: | 2 2 2 2/ 4 2 2 1/ tmp + 2/ hp/ pno/ strings |
| Duration: | 11’ |
| Special note: | 9 of the musicians (winds and brass) are to play from the audience |
Programme Notes
Composed in the dead of winter, this piece was written in anticipation of spring. The opening of the piece is somewhat chilly and bleak. The violas, with their mutes on, introduce a simple little melody, which, as the piece progresses, will become the predominant theme. Each time this theme returns, it is presented in slightly warmer tones. Several of the woodwind players are located in the audience as well as on stage, and they call out to one another, freely, as though waking from a deep slumber. By the time the brass players begin their antiphonal fanfares, the somewhat dreamy and sleepy atmosphere that started the piece is wiped away.
The quiet little theme introduced at the beginning blossoms into a resplendent and colourful melody. Eventually the entire orchestra, including the musicians not on stage, plays together en masse to bring the piece to a ringing climax; spring has kept its promise and has returned to us once again.
Audio Samples
Spring's Promise
Premiere
April 2, 3, 2004
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Conductor: Christoph Campestrini
Jack Singer Concert Hall
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Subsequent Performances
| WINNIPEG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA January 2009 Conductor: Rei Hotoda |
TULSA SYMPHONY September 2008 Conductor: Alastair Willis |
FORT WAYNE PHILHARMONIC March 8, 2008 Conductor: Bradley Thachuk |
| DETROIT SYMPHONY CIVIC ORCHESTRA October 20, 2007 |
| EDMONTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA June 2, 3, 2006 Conductor: William Eddins Winspear Centre for Music Edmonton, Alberta Canada |
OKANAGAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA May 12, 13, 2006 Conductor: Rosemary Thomson Kelowna Community Theatre Kelowna/Vernon, British Columbia Canada |
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA April 29, 2006 Conductor: Anthony Princiotti Jack Singer Concert Hall Calgary, Alberta Canada |
| KITCHENER-WATERLOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA January 19, 20, 21, 2006 Conductor: Alastair Willis Centre in the Square Kitchener, Ontario Canada |
RED DEER SYMPHONY November 5, 2005 Conductor: Claude Lapalme Arts Centre, Red Deer College Red Deer, Alberta Canada |
CALGARY CIVIC ORCHESTRA April 17, 2005 Conductor: John Thompson Jack Singer Concert Hall Calgary, Alberta Canada |
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