Focoso
Dan Coleman
About this work:
Focoso was commissioned by conductor George Hanson for the Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s 2002-2003 season, and was composed with financial support from Music Alive, a national residency program of the American Symphony Orchestra League and Meet The Composer, with funding provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and The Aaron Copland Fund for Music. In 2003, this work was reprised by the Indianapolis Symphony after being chosen for the Marilyn Glick Young Composer Award.
Focoso means “fiery” or “ardently” in Italian, and the word might describe the sound of the 18th century Italian string concerti which initially inspired this piece. I also felt that the title evoked the intensity of Tucson’s desert weather. As I composed this work during the summer of 2002, actual forest fires raged across Arizona, and the title began to suggest some more ominous musical ideas. Nature can be terrifying, but it is more often beautiful, and Focoso is ultimately about hope and renewal.
A few musical “sparks” interrupt the serene opening of the piece, and grow into a steady flame. The strings begin a gentle chorale as the winds continue their fiery passagework. A lyrical tune, introduced in the final third of the piece, leads to an optimistic conclusion.
Year composed: 2002
Duration: 00:12:00
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Chamber Orchestra
Instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 1 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn in F, 2 Trumpet, 2 Trombone, 1 Timpani, 2 Percussion (General), 1 Celesta, 1 Strings (General), 1 Harp
Instrumentation notes: Celesta is optional. Percussion battery=
Chimes (unavailable pitches may be transposed by an octave), Crotales (C6 to A7),
Small Susp. Cymbal (with mallets & stick as specified), Vibraphone,
Xylophone,
Marimba,
2 Temple Blocks (high, medium),
Bass Drum,
Glockenspiel,
Very Small Mark Tree,
Pair of Cymbals ,
Very Small Tom-Tom,
2 Tom-Toms (medium, low),
Sizzle Cymbal (with wire brush)