Goldsworthy Variations
Jack W. Stamps
About this work:
“Goldsworthy Variations” is a set of 4 modular, stand-alone vignettes inspired by 4 works by natural sculptor, Andy Goldsworthy. There is no necessary order in which the ‘movements’ are to be performed. The catalog numerical assignments (Op. 13-A) merely signify the order in which they were written. It is not necessary to perform them in consecutive order either. They can appear anywhere on a performance program, between larger works even.
Here’s what it is made of:
“Soul of a Tree” features a small moment from the first piece i wrote at UTSA, a soprano sax piece. It is a set of variations. The long melody in the tape is basically the same melody that is passed around in the tarantella conducted by conductor 2.
“Dandelions” is a treatment of a pop song that I wrote in 1997 called “This World”. The nature sounds, save for the sound of my dog barking, were downloaded off the internet.
“Goose Feathers” features a lick from a vibes piece i wrote a few years ago and a new, lingering, contrasting melody that leads to the lick. I tried to find a harmonic connection between jazz and Vincent Persichetti, a favorite of mine among composers for winds.
“Pebbles with Hole” is basically a ‘disco remix’ of a piece I wrote for women’s choir with a lick from my string quartet for harmonic contrast. The tape features samples from a live performance of the women’s choir piece, sung by the women it was written for as well as samples from a performance of the string quartet. Also, a loop by Talvin Sighn was sampled.
Year composed: 2003
Duration: 00:10:00
Ensemble type: Band:Wind Ensemble
Instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 3 Clarinet, 1 Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 1 Soprano Saxophone, 1 Alto Saxophone, 1 Tenor Saxophone, 1 Baritone Saxophone, 4 Horn in F, 2 Trumpet, 2 Cornet, 2 Trombone, 1 Bass Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Euphonium/Tenor Tuba, 1 Timpani, 2 Percussion (General), 1 Prerecorded Sound (Tape/CD/Other), 1 Sampler (Keyboard/Other)
Instrumentation notes: