Viewing Single Post From: Eric Whitacre

Viewing Single Post From: Eric Whitacre
kwan	Jan 2 2005, 01:21 AM
Secretary Posts: 154 Group: Helpers Member #206 Joined: November 13, 2004	October Wind Symphony grade:3+ approx. time: 6:45 Publisher: Carpe Ranam Productions October began at a restaraunt in Chicago, when I was first introduced to Brian Anderson. Brian, a high school band director from Fremont, Nebraska, knew my work and wanted to commission me, but couldn't find the finances. If I remember correctly I didn't immediately hear back from him, and I just assumed the gig would never materialize. About a year later I get this phone call from him and he says that he has put together a commissioning consortium of 30 high school bands from Nebraska. 30 bands! I've dealt with institutional beauracracy for a while now and I can't possibly imagine how he brought all of those people together, let alone get them to agree on a commission. Writing a grade three work was an entirely different challenge. It's easy to write your way out of a difficult corner with flashy, virtuosic material, but with 'easier' music your solutions must be simple, elegant, and functional. I worked hard to create a piece that could be successfully performed by all of the high schools in the consortium, yet never compromised its musical integrity. Frankly, writing 'easy' music is one of the hardest things I've ever done. I'm quite happy with the end result, especially because I feel there just isn't enough lush, beautiful music written for winds. October was premiered on May 14th, 2000, and is dedicated to Brian Anderson, the man who brought it all together. taken from www.ericwhitacre.com


Eric Whitacre · Compositions Corner