Lexicon No. 1 - 4th Movement - Fortitude

This the fourth movement of four of a composition for SATB Saxophone Quartet and Piano. It is commissioned by Louis Sinoff. I am calling the composition Lexicon No. 1 because each movement will be a musical definition of an interesting word. I envision that there will be many more "Lexicon" compositions in my future.

The word for the fourth movement is Fortitude. Its definition is "strength and determination." A passacaglia, with its repeating bass line, came to mind as being the perfect form to express the word fortitude.

The movement begins with an Allegro introduction of rising and falling non-triadic arpeggios and a rising syncopated motif before settling into the passacaglia theme. The passacaglia theme in the piano left hand is four measures long that suggests both g minor and Bb major simultaneously. Each variation adds intensity through dynamics, texture, harmony, rhythmic activity and articulation. The variations are as follows:
15-18 - one beat canon between the piano left hand and tenor sax
19-22 - countermelody in the piano right hand that suggests Eb major before ending in Bb major
23-26 - similar countermelody in Soprano and Alto Saxes
27-30 - new countermelody in piano right hand; Bari Sax joins in on the passacaglia theme
31-34 - more countermelody in the piano right hand; triplets becoming more dominant
35-38 - Saxes only; intense harmony with dissonance and resolution
39-42 - Harmony in the piano; saxes increase triplet activity
43-46 - Slower tempo and sixteenths take over in importance
47-50 - Similar to before; contrast in articulation between saxes and passacaglia theme; piano right hand up 8va
51-54 - Unison FF restatement of passacaglia theme

The movement ends with two measures of Brilliante in G major.

After composing this movement, I decided to create a poem to go along with it. Here it is:

Strength rises from within

Chakras of energy emanating

From my soul to my halo

And back down again

Forces of motivation

Recede into quiet determination

A guiding principle forms

Soon echoed

In the silences of my mind

A four-measure mantra

Steadfast to outside influences

Complimentary countermelodies

Tease with temptation

Blending in and out

Of my unfaltering fortitude

Triplets intensify their efforts

Persuading elaboration

Of my basic stand

To emphasize our similarities

And not our differences

Desperate rapid utterances

Scream over my firm voice

To no avail

Finally

A unison proclamation

Emerges from the chaos

To celebrate the unwavering power of

A lone voice in tune with the universe

Below is the transposed score and sampled sounds in video format. Your comments are always welcomed.

Dr. B

Lexicon No. 1 - 3rd Movement - Hyperbole

This the third movement of four of a composition for SATB Saxophone Quartet and Piano. It is commissioned by Louis Sinoff. I am calling the composition Lexicon No. 1 because each movement will be a musical definition of an interesting word. I envision that there will be many more "Lexicon" compositions in my future.

The word for the third movement is Hyperbole. Its definition is "exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally."The first thing that came to mind in this election year is a political debate. In the composition I tried to exaggerate dynamics, articulation, instrumentation, and motifs. I think of this movement as having free form as the musical ideas are used throughout. There is a slight shift of mood measure 13 and again at measure 36, but in my mind, the contrast is not sufficient for me to call these a B section.

Here is a list of the motifs that are used and what they represent in my mind:

Accented dotted quarter and eighth note - When FF - hammering when P - exhaustion
Slurred 16th notes - issues being glossed over
Triplet chords - the moderator trying to bring the debate under control
Syncopated staccato eighths - scare tactics
Even eighth note melody - Hopeful audience

After composing this movement, I decided to create a poem to go along with it. Here it is:

Raised Voices spout rhetoric
While fists pound the podium

Volume and theatrics

Obscure the issues

Quiet responses of denial

Go unheard

Slurring meanings with

Distorted facts

Staccato utterances cut

Like faraway gunshots

Inciting fear

Instead of reason

A melodic theme resonates

Striking a chord with

An audience of voters

Grasping at straws for optimism

Hyperbole shields voters

From the democratic process

And antiquated laws insulate

Citizens from making a direct choice

Politicians play

With those who pay while

Bickering and inaction is

The rule in Washington

A cloudy future hovers

Over a divided nation

Will a leader emerge with healing powers

From the debris of hyperbole

Below is the transposed score and sampled sounds in video format. Your comments are always welcomed.

Dr. B