Out of the Wilderness on Mark Zuckerman - Composer

Andante

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

In the expository first movement, Andante (Continuous), there are two groups each of four variations that explore harmonies associated with the ostinato. The first group – Oscuramento (Darkening), Misterioso (Mysterious), Irrequieto (Restless) and Giocoso (Jocose) – presents the ostinato alone and then punctuated by a series of harmonies derived from the ostinato. The second group uses triadic harmony and increasing fracturing of the ostinato among different parts to support an intensifying of affect – Tranquillo (Calm), Marcato (Marked), Ritmico (Rhythmic) and Esultante (Jubilant).

Coda

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

In the Coda (Tail), the two groups of three variations follow a parallel course. The first group, which begins and ends with soloists on each part, uses gestures that feature homonyms of appoggiaturas and cambiatas (non-harmonic tones in tonal music).

In the last of the three variations – Dolce (Sweet), Ominoso (Ominous) and Molto espressivo (Expressive) – the ostinato is broken to highlight the climax.

The variations in the second group successively reduce the ostinato to its essence. Tempo giusto (Regular Tempo) resumes the ostinato as part of a spare three-part counterpoint. Semplice (Simple) puts the long/short ostinato in counterpoint with the short/long version starting a beat later. As with the last variation of the first group, Un poco tratto (Stretched) breaks the ostinato, stretching the last phrase to bring the piece to a soft landing.

Finale

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

The last two movements are played without pause. Finale (Ending) consists of three groups each of three variations. The variations in the first group are canons increasing in density and intensity: the first, Spiccato (Distinct), has three voices, the second, Con fuoco (With Fire), has four and the third, Furioso (Furious), five. The second group – Sonoro (Sonorous), Arrabiato (Angry) and Pesante (Heavy) – continues the mood trajectory with increasingly dense dissonances built with triads. The third group – Sognatore (Dreaming), Cantante (Singing) and Pacifico (Peaceful) – each use pedal points and bring the level of tension down. In support of this, the ostinato in this group is varied by exchanging perfect fifths and tritones.

Largo

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Largo (Broad), the slow and lyrical second movement, consists of one group of three variations: Cantabile (Songlike), Mesto (Sad) and Grazioso (Graceful). The metrical element is twice as long as in the first movement (quarter notes as opposed to eighths). The outer variations weave embellishments around the slow ostinato; these surround the middle variation, which develops slow-moving harmony.

Scherzo

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

The metrical element changes to sixteenth notes in first half of the third movement, Scherzo (Joke), for a group of four variations – Leggiero (Nimble), Scivoloso (Slippery), Spiritoso (Witty) and Vivace (Brisk) – and returns to eighths (although the rhythmic impetus remains the sixteenth) for a group of two variations, Energico (Energetic) and Stringendo (Pressing). The movement begins and ends with pizzicato.