To Breathe One's First (for full orchestra)
Yvonne Freckmann
About this work:
In To Breathe One’s First I explored writing gesturally for large forces – full orchestra. In my beginning sketches and visualizations I followed a common thread of shapes that expanded and contracted like breaths. I kept this image in mind during the months I worked on this piece.
In terms of harmony, this work explores four seven-note sound fields (Phrygian or Lydian in mode) and their relationships and contrasts. These sound fields provide some freedom from tonal harmony, while giving the music a richly peaceful or playful quality.
The macro-structure is encapsulated in the microcosm of the first 13 measures. The microcosm, which is harmonically static, establishes the use of sound fields and grows gradually, testing the contrast of the orchestra and soloists. Likewise, on a larger scale, the piece develops steadily in terms of texture, activity, and harmonic sound fields.
Ultimately, I hope the listener feels uplifted by hearing this piece.
Year composed: 2010
Duration: 00:08:00
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Standard Orchestra
Instrumentation: 2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn in F, 2 Trumpet, 2 Trombone, 1 Bass Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 2 Percussion (General), 1 Xylophone, 1 Piano, 1 Strings (General), 1 Harp
Instrumentation notes: percussion (2), includes the xylophone part