Tightrope Walker

Description

Flute 1, Flute 2, Flute 3, Piccolo, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, English Horn, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Contrabassoon, Horn in F 1, Horn in F 2, Horn in F 3, Horn in F 4, Trumpet in C 1, Trumpet in C 2, Trumpet in C 3, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Trombone 3, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion, Piano, Harp, Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Violoncello, Double Bass — Tightrope Walkerxa0is my first piece for full orchestra.xa0 Given the large forces available to me, I wanted to write something exciting, colorful and visceral.xa0 I remembered back to when I was a kid going to see the Cirque du Soleil.xa0 That trip made a big impression on me, especially the high wire performers.xa0 These were artists performing super-human feats high in the air, where even the slightest mistake guaranteed a fatal ending.xa0 This idea of danger, of risking one’s life to entertain an audience has stayed with me, andxa0Tightrope Walkerxa0is my attempt at recreating that special childhood experience.The opening of the piece hints at what's to come - a steady, walking pulse interrupted by missteps in the woodwinds.xa0 These missteps increase until the entire orchestra comes crashing down - not a good sign for our Tightrope Walker.xa0 The tempo slows and the atmosphere becomes tense.xa0 The primary themes of the piece are presented in fragments, most notably the Tightrope Walker's theme in the horns.xa0 The orchestra gradually recovers from the previous fall, becoming more lively and coherent until the original, faster tempo is restored.We are now at the circus, excited and expectant, and the fragmentary themes heard previously are now presented in their full forms. xa0The anticipation builds until we hear a solo drum roll - the main act is about to begin.xa0 The second half of the piece depicts the Tightrope Walker performing for his audience.xa0 But from the outset, as in the beginning of the piece, we hear there are problems.xa0 The pressure mounts, the audience clamoring for more, untilxa0Tightrope Walkerxa0comes to a decisive and potentially fatal end.