The Sea
I have written 2 works with this title.
Op. 28 is 'The Sea - Tidal Wave'. This was a piece I first thought of soon after returning from my LDS Mission (to the Southern Far East Mission, serving in T'ai Wan and Hong Kong from Apr 1967 to Sep 1969). At that time I had only a few disconnected fragments that I mentally 'played' in various ways, trying to 'see' where I wanted to go with them. Over the years I added a few more fragments and mentally related them to each other in various ways. But it was only in 2008, when I first started using Finale, that I was able to take all those fragments and actually produce a complete result. This piece portrays an ocean 'tidal wave' or tsunami from origin in shallow ocean to its end as it crashes onto a distant shore. After a brief introduction to set the tempo, the high Strings open with the first motif, a chromatic descending passage, counterpointed by an ascending passage in the low Strings. Then the Brass add several more motifs played against the String motifs. Woodwinds enter, and things seem 'jumbled' musically as a first climax is reached, then contrasted with a solo Flute playing (in the major key this time) a descending bridge passage. To this point in the score, we have heard the chaotic start of the tsunami. The next part starts (from a lower volume) to rebuild the set of different motifs, playing first 2 against each other, then gradually adding more as other instruments join - first all the Strings, then the Brass, then Woodwinds. This section of the score portrays the tsunami as it moves away into deeper ocean, seeming to 'lose' strength yet actually building it up (it also offers contrast to the beginning and end of the piece). A second climax leads to a softer part as Timpani join other instruments building up an ascending motif louder and louder, finally reaching a third climax as the tsunami (nearing shore, first drawing water away then gathering it together for its end) finally reaches the distant shore and dissipates its accumulated strength. -- Anyway, that is what I tried to portray musically.
Op. 37 is 'The Sea - Old Ironsides' and portrays the sailing ship U.S.S. Constitution as she faces enemies on the high seas. The immediate inspiration for this is a poem written by Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1829 as the US Congress decided to break up the old ship, since by that time it was no longer adequate for changing naval warfare. His indignant poem was published in newspapers across the country and started a successful campaign to preserve the ship as part of our national heritage - the ship now sits in the water at a pier in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is a living museum for current and future generations. My music portrays the 3 stanzas of Holmes' poem. The first part has a 'wave' motif, representing the ship in port, then introduces a trombone theme (echoed by Horns) representing the ship itself - phrased musically to match the words of the poem. This leads to the second part - the 'ship' motif heard for the second time as the crew (at sea) watch for enemy ships, spot one and muster for battle, then fight bravely and win, cheering their victory. The third part (minor key now) portrays the ship at the mercy of the elements, as Holmes recommends the ship be set adrift to be destroyed by Nature rather than suffer the ignominy of being dismantled. -- Unlike his poem, I tried to end on a happier note, suggesting that his goal was achieved and the ship was preserved. (I have walked its decks in Cambridge harbor.)
Files are accessible below.
The Sea - Tidal Wave - Tone Poem (Op.28)
The Sea - Old Ironsides - Tone Poem (Op.37)