Tocsin

Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2 - 4.3.2 - timp. 3perc. - hp. - strings

Recording: Reading with Rutgers University Symphony Orchestra; Kynan Johns (conductor); April 27, 2015

Duration: 6 minutes

Program Notes:

Tocsin [tok-sin]

noun

1. a signal, especially of alarm, sounded on a bell or bells.

2. a bell used to sound an alarm

Tocsin is a type of warning or alarm, usually used by sounding bells. I was attracted to the title because usually warnings have an association with a loud volume. Although Tocsin has an urgent sound, it also has a hushed intensity that often sounds very bell-like.