Program Notes

(A Gift to Dr. John Burdett and the Azusa Pacific University Wind Ensemble)

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“...and streams on the dry ground…” is a Tone Poem based on an impression of two passages from the Old Testament Book of Isaiah.

 

" Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19)

 

"For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring." (Isaiah 44:3)

 

“...and streams on the dry ground…” a Tone Poem, progressing from a mysterious and dramatic opening section, is intended to be an intentionally lyrical and richly harmonic reflection on the water that appears from nowhere and begins to drift slowly along the dry dry ground, soon becoming a flowing stream. The work draws on the influences of the music I studied during my college days Debussy - La Mer, Wagner -The Prelude from Das Rhinegold, Schoenberg - Gurrelieder. 

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Instrumentation

Piccolo

Flute 1-2

Oboe

Bb Clarinet 1-3

Bb Bass Clarinet

Bassoon

Eb Alto Saxophone 1-2

Bb Tenor Saxophone

Eb Baritone Saxophone

Bb Trumpet 1-3 (Flugelhorn)

Horn in F 1-3

Trombone 1-3

Euphonium

Tuba

String Bass

Timpani

Percussion

(S.D., B.D., Triangle, Wind Chimes, Cymbals, Gong)

Mallets

(Vibraphone, Marimba, Glockenspiel)

Piano