Speak To Me (Score & parts)

Description

score and parts - piccolo, 3 x flute I, 3 x flute II, 3 x flute III, 2 x oboe, 4 x clarinet in Bb I, 4 x clarinet in Bb II, 4 x clarinet in Bb III, 2 x bass clarinet in Bb, 2 x bassoon, 2 x alto saxophone in Eb I, 2 x alto saxophone in Eb II, 2 x tenor saxophone in B, baritone saxophone in Eb, 3 x trumpet in Bb I, 3 x trumpet in Bb II, 3 x trumpet in Bb III, horn in F I, horn in F II, horn in F III, horn in F IV, 2 x trombone I, 2 x trombone II, 2 x trombone III, 2 x euphonium (bass clef), 2 x euphonium (treble clef), 4 x tuba, double bass, x percussion I, 2 x percussion II, 4 x percussion III, 2 x percussion IV, timpani - wind band

There is a long tradition in jazz of instruments carrying on a conversation - either intricate with soloistic dialogues (often improvised) or the call and response of larger forces. Speak to Me is above all such a conversation, at first among soloists and then among more and more performers as they gradually join in. This piece begins with a simple tune that increasingly overlaps with and is interrupted by other ideas, generating enormous energy along the way.