ATTENTION GRABBING HEADLINE
Echoes of the Wild
Echoes of the Wild is an evening of contemporary classical music that explores the expressive depth of the saxophone through six works inspired by humanity's profound connection with nature. From intimate personal reflections to urgent environmental calls, this program weaves together themes of loss, renewal, memory, and transformation– taking the audience on a journey through landscapes both external and internal. From Colorado mountain peaks to the heavens the saxophone's rich palette captures delicate contemplation and raw emotional power. Each composer uses the natural world as a lens to examine our deepest human experiences: grief, wonder, determination, healing, and the fragility of both our environment and ourselves.
Program Notes
This Earthly Round by Miriama Young portrays Earth's beauty and vulnerability through a musical round that gradually deteriorates—a warning about environmental fragility. This piece resonates with me as I remember the human-caused Caldor Fire swallowing the forests I played in as a child in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Infinite Morning by Joel Puckett opens the program with a meditation on the miscarriage of his first child. Its delicate lines are filled with longing and questioning as what once seemed like endless opportunity withered into mourning.
blossom, behold, bruise, become by Shane Valle (premiere) takes inspiration from "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" to examine our imperfect upbringings. Through heartfelt saxophone melodies, it offers comfort to the parts of our childhood selves that couldn't fully bloom in our environments.
Rhapsody on an Echo Chamber by Jenni Watson explores our inner dialogue when experiencing nature's awe. Watson depicts the mind as a personal echo chamber where thoughts wander freely, like a forest walk where familiar trees feel perpetually new.
The Solitude of Stars by Stacey Garrop depicts the composer’s awe at experiencing a nighttime view of the starry heavens, shining brightly over the vast expanse of the Wyoming prairie. The slow passage of time is evoked by slowly rocking eighth-notes, creating a gentle texture.
The Manitou Incline by Joel Love chronicles his determined attempt to summit this Colorado peak after an initial failure. The music traces his emotional journey up the mountain through feelings of optimism, panic, and ultimate triumph.