Symphonic movement: on works of H. P. Lovecraft

Symphonic Movement: On Works of H. P. Lovecraft is a single movement

composition for wind band lasting approximately 11 minutes. The instrumentation

for the work is as follows: piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 3 clarinets, bass

clarinet, contrabass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, soprano saxophone, alto

saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, 4 horns, 4 trumpets, 2 trombones,

bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, string bass, timpani, 5 percussionists, and piano.

Symphonic Movement: On Works of H. P. Lovecraft is inspired by the horror

fiction writer H. P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft was famous for his ability to create a sense

of creeping dread and terror in his stories. The composition evokes this dark

atmosphere and uses a combination of melodic, harmonic, and orchestrational

devices to imitate this ambience.

The primary musical material of the work is a melody consisting of all twelve

tones. The composition explores this melody through motivic development and

phrase segmentation derived from the source material. This heavy use of

chromaticism helps to create a dissonant and brooding atmosphere throughout. The

work fluctuates between soft, lyrical passages and loud, cacophonous sections. The

alternation of exposed melodic lines with large bombastic climaxes is a major

component of the overall structure of the composition.