Adages for Tuba and Euphonium Quartet
Publisher Desc.
I. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. " The
interpretation of this adage is that one always wants what someone else has
instead of accepting ones own uniqueness. During the movement, counterpoint
is used to depict one instrument copying another. Towards the middle of the
movement, tuba 2 eventually realizes its independence and states a bold
melody of its own. The movement ends with the euphonium 1 playing its melody
alone with pauses between the phrases as if looking over its shoulder
wondering where the other musicians are.
II. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. " This setting represents a
growing love despite the emptiness of being apart. Hollow intervals of
fourths and fifths representing longing, occur at the beginning and end. A
short love duet between two instruments occurs in the middle.
III. Time flies when you are having fun. " A rollicking six-eight
meter is used to represent a childrens game of tag. There is a lot of
alternation of short phrases as if one instrument is trying to tag the other
and the other is trying to avoid being tagged. The dissonance and short
accented notes represent taunting.
IV. Every cloud has a silver lining. " This movement is a prayer-like
setting with alternation of minor and major harmonies representing the cloud
and the silver lining respectively.
V. He who hesitates is lost. " This movement is very rhythmic and
syncopated with the instruments alternating phrases in the manner of a call
and response. It calls for split-second precision between the performers,
therefore representing the adage.
VI. A rolling stone gathers no moss. " The last movement is a
perpetual motion in a rolling six-eight meter. The musical ideas are very
chromatic with the exception of main theme that appears first as a solo
melody, then as several instruments together, and later as instruments in
imitation. Towards the end, there are a few brief pauses and low accented
notes as a life of activity has a few bumps along the way.
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