The Phases of the Moon

Instrumentation: Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Violoncello, Piano, and Percussion

Completed: July 7, 2002

Dedicated to: James H. Willey

Duration: 8 minutes

Premiered: August 9, 2002, by Proteus 5 (the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble), Syd Hodkinson, conductor

Program Note

This piece was inspired by the sight of an especially vivid summer full Moon in Virginia. It follows the lunar cycle from new moon to full moon, making stops at waxing crescent (one-quarter), half, and gibbous (three-quarters). It very abstractly describes these phases using a number of tangible techniques, such as pitch relationships and dynamics, as well as intangible ones, like mood and dramatic flow. After realizing that new and full Moon (as well as crescent and gibbous) are opposites, though still very similar visually, I gave the corresponding movements similar pitch material with somewhat different moods. The half Moon section, with no corresponding phase other than itself, has a feeling of stasis while resting on a rather bland tritone. Thus, the piece is in arch form, the first and fifth (and the second and fourth) sections sharing a great deal of material. These structures, however, are not nearly as important as the more intangible sense of flow of the piece, encapsulated in the simultaneous feelings of constant change and cyclical motion that, in the end, only lead back to the beginning. The Phases of the Moon is dedicated to James H. Willey, my freshman composition instructor at the Eastman School of Music. His guidance made this piece possible.

Performances (2)

August 9, 2002, 3:00 pm
(premiere)		Proteus 5 (Aspen Contemporary Ensemble), Syd Hodkinson, conductor

Harris Concert Hall, Aspen, CO
April 6, 2005, 8:00 pmOSSIA new music ensemble; Martin Seggelke, conductor

Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY