Sentimental Reminiscences (2014) for two clarinets and brass quartet
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Program Notes
“Sentimental Reminiscences” was commissioned by Mary Alice Druhan for performance at the 2014 ClarinetFest, to be held at Louisiana State University. Both the composer and Dr. Druhan hold degrees from LSU. The work is a dream-like sequence of five vignettes inspired by historical landmarks on/near the campus in the heart of the capitol city, Baton Rouge. The music presents a certain sense of nostalgia in each vignette by including the use of an off-stage brass ensemble. Several school songs are manipulated in ways that evoke memories of The Golden Band from Tigerland, as well as other rich traditions found in south Louisiana music, with Ivesian quotes and fragments traded between the clarinets and brass. Both clarinet parts require the use of B-flat and E-flat clarinets to even further the possibilities of timbral exploration in the ensemble.
The piece works in a sort of narrative-style, pulling the listener into the story as if hearing the telling of a vivid, imaginative dream. Although most of the material in the work will be related in some way, there are twists and turns that seem disconnected and abrupt – just as one might expect from dreams or even a David Lynch movie where things seem to change suddenly, but something is still very familiar.
The piece opens in the “Enchanted Forest” – a secluded, wooded area behind the Greek Theater (near the band hall) – that is said to have held a 150 foot reflective pool in the early 1930s. The music introduces the dream-like atmosphere with a dark, swampy, dank, and muggy environment. The second vignette is inspired by the Greek Theater – mixing together allusions of outdoor performances and overly excited football fans waiting to hear sections of the Tiger Band warming up on game day. The Memorial Tower, then, sets the mood for the third vignette which is followed by a stop at the famous restaurant and bar – The Chimes. The piece closes with a landmark that Baton Rouge seems to be most known for – Tiger Stadium (Death Valley) – where the use of the brass reaches its climax.
Performance
“Sentimental Reminiscences” was commissioned by Mary Alice Druhan for performance at the 2014 ClarinetFest, to be held at Louisiana State University. Both the composer and Dr. Druhan hold degrees from LSU. The work is a dream-like sequence of five vignettes inspired by historical landmarks on/near the campus in the heart of the capitol city, Baton Rouge. The music presents a certain sense of nostalgia in each vignette by including the use of an off-stage brass ensemble. Several school songs are manipulated in ways that evoke memories of The Golden Band from Tigerland, as well as other rich traditions found in south Louisiana music, with Ivesian quotes and fragments traded between the clarinets and brass. Both clarinet parts require the use of B-flat and E-flat clarinets to even further the possibilities of timbral exploration in the ensemble.
The piece works in a sort of narrative-style, pulling the listener into the story as if hearing the telling of a vivid, imaginative dream. Although most of the material in the work will be related in some way, there are twists and turns that seem disconnected and abrupt – just as one might expect from dreams or even a David Lynch movie where things seem to change suddenly, but something is still very familiar.
The piece opens in the “Enchanted Forest” – a secluded, wooded area behind the Greek Theater (near the band hall) – that is said to have held a 150 foot reflective pool in the early 1930s. The music introduces the dream-like atmosphere with a dark, swampy, dank, and muggy environment. The second vignette is inspired by the Greek Theater – mixing together allusions of outdoor performances and overly excited football fans waiting to hear sections of the Tiger Band warming up on game day. The Memorial Tower, then, sets the mood for the third vignette which is followed by a stop at the famous restaurant and bar – The Chimes. The piece closes with a landmark that Baton Rouge seems to be most known for – Tiger Stadium (Death Valley) – where the use of the brass reaches its climax.
Performance
- July 30, 2014 ICA ClarinetFest, LSU - Baton Rouge, Louisiana