Sacraments From Faith
Tayloe Harding
About this work:
Sacraments from Faith (2002)
Concerto for Woodwind Quintet and Orchestra
Sacraments from Faith (2002) is a concerto for Woodwind Quintet and Orchestra. Featuring the standard woodwind quintet of flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, and bassoon, the work is in three movements. Though harmonic and timbral designs more representative of 20th and 21st century styles are utilized, classical forms and thematic treatment predominate in the work. Indeed the work was conceived largely as a "classical" piece. In addition, the solo ensemble is highlighted in its role as a full quintet and as a collection of solo instruments--the cadenzas of the outer two movements reveal a fascination with how duo combinations bring another classical image to the composition.
It was commissioned by the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra for the Bläzer Woodwind Quintet, Elizabeth Goode, flute; Susan Eischeid, oboe; Jeffrey Olson, clarinet; Scott Pool, bassoon; and Kristen Johns, horn in recognition of the Tenth Anniversary of VSO Music Director James Plondke.
About Sacraments from Faith (2002) the composer writes:
"The concerto derives its title from my pre-occupation with spiritual faith and doubt in the months following the events of September 11, 2001. Though not directly inspired by those events, the work is an exploration of my self-reflection on faith, the results of which led me to the titles of each movement. My faith and its depth, I learned, are most clearly manifested in what I believe are the three most blessed realizations of earthly life: things, people and their deeds, and places. These are the sacraments that emerge from my faith.
I believe right, good, and joyful things are everywhere around us even when we do not notice. The loyalty to our community, to our orchestra, and to me personally displayed by the generous patrons of this work is one of these right, good, and joyful things.
My devotion to people and their deeds is most inspired in this work by the fine musical colleagues I have for whom the piece was written, the BlazerQuintet; and also, most especially, for my dear friend and colleague James Plondke whose tenure as Music Director of the VSO the composition recognizes.
My faith is also more visible and more present in the discovery and development of my own good works when I am in certain places. Shrinemont in Orkney Springs, VA is one of these places. The Diocesan retreat center for Virginia located where the Shenandoah Valley meets the Blue Ridge, Shrinemont is an extraordinary environment for self-reflection and for solitary activities like composing. It is where I wrote the 3rd movement of the concerto. Shrinemont’s motto is ‘A Place Apart.’"
Year composed: 2002
Duration: 00:26:34
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Orchestra with Soloist(s)
Instrumentation: 2 Flute,1 Flute soloist(s), 2 Oboe,1 Oboe soloist(s), 2 Clarinet,1 Clarinet soloist(s), 2 Bassoon,1 Bassoon soloist(s), 2 Horn in F,1 Horn in F soloist(s), 2 Trumpet, 3 Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 2 Percussion (General), 16 Violin, 8 Viola, 8 Cello, 6 Double bass