Riptides - Concert Band

RIPTIDES explores the fears of life and the fear of the unknown with the setting of the ocean. The beginning represents the call to the sea by the flute. As the piece developes into the melody, the color becomes distorted by the danger surrounding and from there the energy shifts into a frantic thrill ride. The piece is decorated with dissonance, glissando techniques and textures that are completely different from the texture I use. In the middle of the piece, there is a mermaid call- representing the alluring qualities of dangers and fear; as the call grows, fear lurks the listener and we return to the frantic nature of the piece. The piece is build off of eccentric percussion like the conch shell horn, ocean drums and thumb rolls on the timpani and bass drum. Finally the piece reaches the climax of the piece as the listener goes to the deepest part of the unknown- however, unafraid and bold, the listener continues the journey to go further- past the point of music and into another unknown.

Duration: 6:00
Grade: 4