Opening Remarks
Lee Actor
About this work:
"Opening Remarks" is a brisk, upbeat, 6-minute work for orchestra designed as a concert opener. It calls for a modestly sized orchestra of two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani, and strings.
Literally all of the musical material in "Opening Remarks" is generated from the opening few measures. The initial motif of three sharply punctuated chords interspersed with a rising scale figure can be found in various guises throughout the piece, to the extent that the work can truly be called monothematic. Nevertheless, there are several distinct sections of roughly equal size, contrasting in style and mood. Following the energetic initial presentation of the basic thematic material, the second section showcases a pair of trumpets in lyrical rumination against an unrelenting ostinato in the strings. The center of the piece features a woodwind chorale that starts quietly, but becomes increasingly more urgent. The first two sections are then reprised in reverse order, forming an arch-like structure. A brief coda winds down the action to a near standstill, before an accelerating ostinato gradually pulls in the entire orchestra and drives to a final flourish.
"Opening Remarks" was commissioned by the Saratoga Symphony, and was composed between August 2008 and February 2009.
Year composed: 2009
Duration: 00:06:00
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Standard Orchestra
Instrumentation: 2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 2 Horn in F, 2 Trumpet, 1 Timpani, 1 Strings (General)