Catalog#:RE1016

Instrumentation: flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and perc.

Price: $15.00 score

Parts Price: $15.00 parts

Red Earth, a work for mixed instrumental ensemble, is constructed of two movements that may be performed together or independently. Although these movements share commonalities associated with traditional multi-movement works, each movement, due to its structure, provides the listener with a sense of completion. I made no attempt to adhere to a specific traditional form in either of these movements. Instead, by distancing myself from the work as a composer and assuming the role of audience member, I was able to create forms and shapes that I find satisfying as a listener. Examples of techniques used to generate these shapes include written out accelerandi and ritardandi in melodic fragments, decreased or increased time intervals between entrances of an instrument or instruments, and manipulated tessiture of instruments in different directions. The main commonalities that these movements share can be classified as thematic and rhythmic. For example, the primary theme in the second movement is derived from the second theme of the first movement. Also, both movements rely heavily on several ostinati to provide motion that is constantly moving forward, to create a surface for the main melodies to work with and against, and to supply the listener with multiple layers. Red Earth is simply an expression and observation of my search for beauty in this world. If these emotions could be written in any other language, I would not have had to write this music.