Verge
John Fitz Rogers
About this work:
Commissioned by the Albany Symphony. "Verge" draws its inspiration from many sources. I wanted to create a kind of tapestry that weaves together several musical ideas from Mussorgsky’s "Pictures at an Exhibition." This tapestry both mirrors the many images that inspired Mussorgsky’s work, and "frames" his work by taking motives out of their original context and reworking them using techniques derived from medieval music, West African drumming patterns, pop music rhythms, etc. I was also keenly aware of Ravel’s brilliant orchestration of Mussorgsky’s piece, and this in no small part influenced the orchestral fabric of my work. The result, I hope, is not merely pastiche, but a synthesis of ideas and techniques that at once pays homage to Mussorgsky and Ravel and to the many disparate genres of music that are important to me as a composer. The title "Verge" has to do with the idea of borders between these genres and the blurring of those distinctions.
(A recording of the work by the Albany Symphony, David Alan Miller, conducting, is available on Albany Records (Troy 354).)
Year composed: 1997
Duration: 00:08:45
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Standard Orchestra
Instrumentation: 2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn in F, 3 Trumpet, 2 Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 3 Percussion (General), 30 Strings (General), 1 Harp
Instrumentation notes: 2222 4321 Timp., Perc. (3 players), Harp, Strings -- Flute II doubles on Piccolo; Percussion requirements: 2 Glockenspiels, Tubular Bells, Vibraphone, Marimba, Crotales, 3 Small Triangles, Small and Medium Suspended Cymbals, Large Sizzle Cymbal, Large Tam-Tam