Work Overview
As we get older, we all experience the perceived speeding up of
time. The often heard phrases "time flies" and "where does the
time go?" are just two common expressions that attest to
this.
Simpler Times, is an attempt to mirror the exponential
passing of time as it speeds up incrementally over the course of
the work.
There are seven sections: the tempo of each section relates to
the previous section by a simple ratio. For example, the tempo
relationship between the first two sections is 7:8. In other
words, the first section is 7/8's the tempo of the second
section, which is quite a subtle shift. On the arrival of the
final seventh section, the tempo relationship between it and the
sixth section is 2:3, which is one and a half times faster: a
radical jump.
Simpler Times is scored for orchestra that includes
piano and toy piano. I really enjoy the unpredictability and
jangly sound-world of the latter, it acts as a perfect foil to
its grown up cousin. Although Simpler Times alludes to
the nostalgic, my intent was not to convey a pining for the good
old days. However, in that regard, the title can have a double
meaning and it is because of this ambiguity that I chose it.
I am extremely grateful to Geoff Stearn who commissioned this
work and also a violin concerto in 2013. The title of that work
was Golden Years (notice the recurring theme here?).
Work Details
Year: 2015
Instrumentation: 3 flutes (2nd doubling piccolo, 3rd doubling piccolo & alto flute), 2 oboes (3rd doubling cor anglais), clarinet in B flat, clarinet in A, clarinet in B flat doubling bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contra-bassoon, 4 horns in F (doubling Wagner water tubas, opt.), 3 trumpets in C, 2 trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion (3 players), piano, strings.
Duration: 30 min.
Difficulty: Advanced
Commission note: Commissioned by Geoff Stearn for performance by West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
First performance: by West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Asher Fisch at WASO: Ledger & Tchaikovsky (Perth Concert Hall) on 4 Sep 2015
Performances of this work
5 Sep 15: Perth Concert Hall. Featuring West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Asher Fisch.
4 Sep 2015: at WASO: Ledger & Tchaikovsky (Perth Concert Hall). Featuring West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Asher Fisch.
User reviews
Be the first to share your thoughts, opinions and insights about this work.
To post a comment please login.