Four Fluctuations is a four movement work for large chamber ensemble or chamber orchestra. Using my experience composing for large chamber wind groups, jazz big band, orchestra, and small chamber wind groups, Four Fluctuations attempts to explore elements of these ensembles in terms of their texture and instrumentation. The instrumentation is as follows:
Flute;
Oboe;
Clarinet in B-flat;
Bass Clarinet in B-flat;
Soprano Saxophone;
Alto Saxophone;
Bassoon;
Horn in F;
Percussion: Bass Drum, Tenor Drum, Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Splash Cymbal, and China Cymbal;
Orchestra Bells;
Marimba;
Piano;
Strings: Violin I & II, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass
In part, this work focuses on utilizing its instrumentation to achieve unpredictability through texture, rhythm, harmonic language, and orchestration. The work employs various compositional techniques to achieve this, including implied meter, polyrhythm, rhythmic ostinato, juxtaposition, and elision of thematic material. At any time the listener should be able to hear elements of woodwind quintet, orchestra, jazz instrumentation, wind ensemble, and a unique blend of these various textures. It is my hope that through these various compositional techniques, instrumentation orchestration choices, and through the work’s rhythmic and harmonic language, the idea of “fluctuations” is made obvious to the listener.