Tamarack
Alexandra Gardner
About this work:
Tamarack (the name of a tree common in North America) is written for and dedicated to the CrossSound players and Teodoro Anzellotti. I am particularly inspired by the ability of the accordion to serve as a powerful solo voice, and at the same time to blend amazingly well with a variety of instruments. As a result, this work is mainly an exploration of timbral transformation: pitches and sonic textures are shared and passed around between instruments, both individually and in groups. Throughout the piece, certain rhythmic and melodic elements serve as signals for this process. For instance, fast upward flourishes in the accordion always bring about activity in other instruments, such as undulating sustained tones in the strings, or syncopated rhythmic patterns from the brass section. Articulations played by the koto give rise to swelling trills in the flute or a strumming mandolin. Periods of shimmering calm are contrasted with fast scurrying activity. Initially the ensemble seems to grow out of the accordion solo, then through a series of shifts and turns the accordion is woven into and around the overall texture, and ultimately a fade to the sounds of metal and wood reveal the solo line once again as it runs off into the distance.
Year composed: 2000
Duration: 00:12:00
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Other Combinations, 10+ players
Instrumentation: 1 Flute, 1 Horn in F, 1 Trumpet, 1 Euphonium/Tenor Tuba, ,1 Accordion soloist(s), 2 Violin, 1 Cello, 1 Double bass, 1 Mandolin, 1 Other Stringed Instrument(s)
Instrumentation notes: also requires koto