Score
Travelogue : variations on themes by cp / Simon Reade
Library shelf no. Q 784.83/REA 1 [Available for loan]
Work Overview
Travelogue was composed following a holiday around my home state of Tasmania and (originally) was to be a set of musical pictures representing some of the remarkable places I visited on this holiday.
Events, however, came to make this happy vision less approachable and the image of the 'cave' (both Mole Creek and Hastings were visited on holiday) became important to me. The piece is therefore a journey through dark places - grand, refined but ominous in the case of Hastings, and mysterious, claustrophobic and yet awe-inspiring in the case of Mole Creek (there is a reference to the passage describing the Mole Creek caves in Northward the Strait by Don Kay present to in this work - awe inspiring indeed!).
I was greatly assisted in composing this piece by Clair Priest, one of the students in the saxophone quartet for whom the piece was written. I used two phrases drawn from two short compositions she had written as a starting point for my work, and the piece takes the form of a set of variations on these themes. The decision to use my student's compositions as the thematic material for this work is also symbolic - the way out from the dark 'caves' is through new energy and new experiences.
I call the piece Travelogue then, not because it represents my physical journey (on holiday) - rather it documents an ongoing spiritual one.
Work Details
Year: 2009
Instrumentation: Flute, oboe, 3 clarinets in B flat, bass clarinet in B flat, bassoon, 2 alto saxophones, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, 2 solo alto saxophones, solo tenor saxophone, solo baritone saxophone, 3 trumpets in B flat, 4 horns in F, 2 trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, double bass, timpani, percussion (3 players).
Duration: 10 min.
Difficulty: Medium — Solo Saxophone parts are more advanced however still achievable by good amateur or student performers. Band parts are suitable for community bands.
Dedication note: Dedicated to Lyall McDermott. Dedicated to Lyall McDermott
Written for: Derwent Valley Concert Band, Island Saxophone Quartet, Clarence High School Saxophone Quartet, Clarence High School Senior Concert Band
First performance: at Tasmanian Composers Concert 2009 (Stanley Burbury Theatre) on 28 Nov 2009
Videos
Travelogue |
Subjects
- Inspired by: Landscape and Nature
- Has as subject/About: Tasmania
Performances of this work
8 Sep 2017: at Voyage (Conservatorium Recital Hall (Hobart)). Featuring Hobart Wind Symphony, Simon Reade.
10 May 2014: at Hobart Youth Winds (Hobart Town Hall). Featuring Hobart Youth Winds.
28 Nov 2009: at Tasmanian Composers Concert 2009 (Stanley Burbury Theatre).
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