Score
Smoke and mirrors : concerto for tenor saxophone and orchestra / Elliott Gyger.
Library shelf no. 784.2872186/GYG 1 [Available for loan]
Work Overview
The phrase "smoke and mirrors" is used to sum up the techniques of a stage magician or conjuror. It has, however, negative connotations as well, which point up an interesting paradox in our attitudes to showmanship: as audience members we love to be dazzled, even fooled, by displays of ingenious skill - yet we use metaphors borrowed from conjuring to describe the actions of people in public life (especially business or politics) of whom we heartily disapprove. The subject matter of Smoke and Mirrors is display, illusion and deception, and our ambiguous relationship to them: the saxophone soloist takes the role of the magician - equal parts virtuoso, villain and charlatan. The work falls into five movements, played without a break.
Work Details
Year: 2014
Instrumentation: Solo tenor saxophone, piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 2 tenor trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion (3 players), piano/celesta, harp, strings.
Duration: 20 min.
Difficulty: Advanced
Contents note: Fanfare 1 -- I. Abracadabra -- II. Box of tricks -- Fanfare 2 -- III. The hypnotist's watch -- IV. Sleight of hand -- Fanfare 3 -- V. Vanishing act.
Written for: Joshua Hyde
First performance: by Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, Joshua Hyde, Prateep Suphanrojn — 5 Dec 14. Music Auditorium, College of Music, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Subjects
- In the form/style of: Concertos
Performances of this work
5 Dec 14: Music Auditorium, College of Music, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Featuring Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, Joshua Hyde, Prateep Suphanrojn.
User reviews
Be the first to share your thoughts, opinions and insights about this work.
To post a comment please login.