PROGRAM NOTES:

Quatuor Elementis for bassoon and soprano/tenor saxophone is a piece in four movements that explores the characters of the four classical elements of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire.

Terra Canit (The Earth Sings) is a fanfare that features a heavily structured foundation for the piece. It explores the opening moments of sunrise on a valley and sweeps across the hills, eventually climbing over the summit of a great mountain. On the way back down it playfully nods to the classical piano techniques used in the bass and occasionally tumbles down some slippery slopes. As the piece draws to an end, the sun sets gently over the horizon as the Bassoon and Tenor Saxophone fade out into silence.

Ventis Evigilaire (The Wind Awakens) is inspired by the classic video game, The Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker and features a driving pedal bass line marking the adventure of a sailboat being propelled across the seas by a majestic breeze. Our hero’s journey is not without turmoil however as the skies turn grey and a dark tempest appears on the horizon. Follow the hero as they attempt to escape the clutches of this storm and try to reach safety.

Aquae Surge (The Water Rises) follows a small droplet of water as it gently cascades its way down the surfaces of a riverside. The droplet slowly winds its way down until it eventually joins the rushing river below. It is swept away with the current and finds itself rushing and slowing as it meets bends and waterfalls. Eventually, the little droplet meets the salty sea and finds itself beneath a great pirate ship as it maliciously makes its way across the seas. Eventually, this ship is sunk and once again, we find the droplet following this ship to the bottom of the ocean where it meets its final resting place.

Ignis Scintilla (The Fire Sparks) is inspired by the triumphant battle music found in soundtracks of movies and video games. Its dissonant and unnerving opening marks the unnerve in the final moments of a great battle as the warriors wait for the smoke to clear. Immediately, the fire in their spirit is sparked as celebration breaks out among the ranks. The piece is closed in a minor key marking the bittersweet celebrations as the warriors also mourn those who they have lost.