"Oak Dances" for two bassoons

Oak Dances is a pair of brief movements for bassoon duo inspired by the contrapuntal

textures of Renaissance vocal duets. Such devices as imitative and free counterpoint are

put through the spin cycle, as it were, and given a treatment reminiscent of Ligeti's

later work in polymodal textures. The work is also partially inspired by the primitivist

sensibilities of Stravinsky and Jolivet in its loose depiction of an ecstatic tribal

ceremony and the peaceful reflection thereupon.

Oak Dances.m4a - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage

Oak Dances.pdf

Does music have to be long to be good? Anton Webern's entire output fits on two CDs and he's one of the most important composers of the last century. This antiquated idea that length is equal to quality really gets on my nerves.

In answer to the question, though, I had very little time to write the piece for one, and I felt that the time frame was sufficient to communicate the ideas I had. The piece is over when it's over, not before and especially not after, which is a problem many composers have had in the past.

Why thanks! I tried a lot of new things in this piece that I had never really played around with before.

Very interesting writing, and formation (duet for bassons), I like it : it's absolutely not short ! MP3's sound seems to be somewhat weak, isn't it ? but nwm.

This was fantastic! The parallel harmonies were a treat (4ths?). I enjoyed the first theme better, but of course that a personal preference because I love the bassoon treated in that way. Your writing is excellent, and kudos on a nice and neat score. :)

Vince

Curious, why the sudden change to alto cleft for one line?