Two Taylor Songs (2018)

for Soprano, Two Piccolos, Two Oboes, Two Clarinets, Two Horns, Two Bassoons

Duration: 14 min

Program Note

My Two Taylor Songs are inspired by my dear friends Ally Smither and Alex Taylor, both of whom I met as a fellow at Tanglewood. I wanted to write a piece that would display the versatility of Ally’s voice, and Alex’s angular, witty poetry provided the perfect opportunity to do so. The virtuosity I was seeking for the vocal part quickly seeped into the ten wind instruments, which provide a wild and imposing “accompaniment”.

The music in the first song is always cooking; the instruments pop and stutter like a sizzling pan. The second song prominently features upward leaps in the English horns and voice, a reference to the “flinted spark”, the upward leap that started the piece.

Performances

Premiere: 7/2018 - Tanglewood Music Center