SHIVAREE
(1996) Shivaree was inspired by a childhood joyride on New Year's Eve. Armed with old pots and pans, a few cousins and my sister and I piled into our aunt's baby-blue Thunderbird, and we drove through the country to awaken relatives and friends. We shrieked and beat the pots and pans as loudly as possible, and Aunt Jane pounded the car horn. I've remembered those wild sounds ever since. Another New Year's night my father and I watched for shooting stars; in my memory those luminous streaks blur with fireworks and bright lights and throbbing noise. Shivaree draws upon these memories. The piece begins with gestures of excitement and anticipation. In the tranquil middle section, stars appear, sparsely at first, then gradually break out into a full-fledged meteor shower. The music becomes more raucous and celebratory to the end. Commissioned by the Winston-Salem Symphony and
Santa Rosa Symphony. |
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