Palma Sola Suite
Tayloe Harding
About this work:
Palma Sola Suite (1995) is a collection of three small pieces for woodwind quintet. As its name is inspired by a central Florida waterway, each of three pieces is titled after a fish species whose name, when pronounced backwards, is a musical term of some kind. The work features starkly contrasting use of thematic material and moods across the small pieces.
I, "Trouts" (‘start’ backwards) is a setting of an angular melody in a monothematic framework, set-off from a scalar motive which outlines an ascending harmonic minor structure. This piece is both highly motivic and strictly melodic/thematic at the same time, and is in a rough arch form with a slower setting of mono-theme in the middle.
II, "Rag" (‘gar’ backwards) is an arrangement/fantasy of the rag RIALTO RIPPLES of George Gershwin. Composed at the time of the renovation of Atlanta’s historic Rialto Theatre into its new incarnation as the RIALTO Center for the Performing Arts, the rag features a mix of swing and straight styles, with varying harmonic accompaniments. The intent here is to stay somewhat traditional in form and texture, while a bit progressive in rhythmic and harmonic accompaniment.
III, "Haddock" (‘coda’ backwards), composed months before the others while in residence with Terry Riley at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, is the largest of the pieces. It features a complex pattern of rhythmic changes to a simple melodic fragment and its basic harmonic implications and melodic extensions. The form of the piece is suggested by these various patterns. Different versions for different instrumental combinations of this piece exist, many of which feature a section of improvised solos in the "F" section of the work.
Year composed: 1995
Duration: 00:14:26
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Woodwind Quintet
Instrumentation: 1 Flute, 1 Oboe, 1 Clarinet, 1 Bassoon, 1 Horn in F