An Evening in May (2024)
An Evening in May depicts the constantly-changing nature of late spring evenings in the midwest.The piece begins with a calm, soothing melody accompanied by slow-moving chords. Suddenly, the tempo picks up, and the low flutes take over a syncopated bassline. The ocarina begins the “A” theme. Gradually, other flutes join in. Flutter tongue, falls, and “ch” articulations add to the chaos of the storms. Eventually, the “A” section decelerates to the slow “B” section. This part uses very soft “ts” flute sounds to back up the sparse notes. As the section progresses, the texture becomes thicker until the grand tutti part. This simple movement is like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds. However, the midwest weather cannot stay stagnant for long, and the “A” theme returns with a vengeance. This “storm” has the addition of the “B” section themes and a half cadence at the end.
Suddenly, the “C” theme appears. This theme is taken from the introduction. However, the faster tempo and the moving accompaniment create tension in what would be a nostalgic break. Because of this, the “C” theme creates a sense of unsteadiness, much like that of a break in a thunderstorm. Before we can return to the “A” theme, there is one last calming break. A theme very similar to that of the “A” theme releases the tension from the previous sections. The extended techniques call back to the past motives. Unfortunately, the calm cannot last. The tension builds as the piece transitions back to the “A” theme one last time. This piece ends with racing extended techniques and a fall.
Dur.: approx 5.5 min.
Suddenly, the “C” theme appears. This theme is taken from the introduction. However, the faster tempo and the moving accompaniment create tension in what would be a nostalgic break. Because of this, the “C” theme creates a sense of unsteadiness, much like that of a break in a thunderstorm. Before we can return to the “A” theme, there is one last calming break. A theme very similar to that of the “A” theme releases the tension from the previous sections. The extended techniques call back to the past motives. Unfortunately, the calm cannot last. The tension builds as the piece transitions back to the “A” theme one last time. This piece ends with racing extended techniques and a fall.
Dur.: approx 5.5 min.
See this link for a physical copy:
www.jwpepper.com/An-Evening-in-May/11576966.item
www.jwpepper.com/An-Evening-in-May/11576966.item