At Which Point is a composition for wind symphony approximately eight minutes in
duration. The work is scored for piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 bassoons,
contrabassoon, 3 clarinets in Bb, bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, 4 horns in F, 3 trumpets in Bb, 2 trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, timpani, 5 percussion, piano, and contrabass.
Primary influences include Steven Stucky’s Concerto for Orchestra No. 2, Johan Meij’s
Symphony No. 1, John Adam’s A Short Ride in a Fast Machine, Joseph Schwantner’s and the mountains rising nowhere, and Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 3. The photograph Splash by Walter Wick as published in his book, A Drop of Water, provided additional musical stimuli. It helped generate harmonic structures and thematic ideas.
My interest in the unique physical properties of water relates directly to Wick’s book.
Water is constantly being used and reused by natural and man-made processes. This title refers to the impossible (but hypothetically fascinating) task of tracking one single molecule of water to see where it has been and what it has done.
I also see the title relating to the piece in another way. Splash depicts a drop of water
falling through the air and splashing on a glass surface. The forces of nature that are in
competition as gravity fights surface tension are intriguing. At which point did gravity win over surface tension in order to pull the drop downward? As I composed the piece I was reflecting on these ideas and questions.
The formal structure of At Which Point is A-B-A'. Section A is defined by its triadic,
nonfunctional harmonies and its heroic theme. The B section is a rhythmically syncopated, driving swirl of activity with moments of hocket and call and response between instrumental families. Section A' is a condensed version of the A material during which the piece reaches the climax and recapitulates themes presented during the first A section. Throughout the work, solos are given to the soprano saxophone, bassoon, piccolo, oboe, and horn in F.