Autumn Cascade
Written for The Brass Project with support from the Curtis Institute of Music's C.A.P. Grant Initiative
Instrumentation Two Trumpets in Bb, French Horn, Trombone, and Tuba (or Bass Trombone)
Duration 5'
Program Notes
Autumn Cascade was written for the Curtis Institute's Community Artist Project Initiative. It is one of thirteen fanfares commissioned, performed, and recorded by the Philadelphia-based "Brass Project" for their debut album Cityscaping.
As part of the project, these fanfares were performed in and around different Philadelphia locations (including schools, churches, and outdoor public spaces).
Accordingly, when composing the piece, I was reminded of my own time living in Philadelphia, walking through its many neighborhoods, and admiring the contrast between its more regal historic buildings and its vibrant new architecture.
I wanted to create music that would capture these contrasting aspects, and so the piece alternates between moments that are more stately and majestic, with others that sear forth biting with crisp energy and bright brass color. The title refers to the physical “cascading” gesture of the brass instruments which layer their entrances on top of one another at the piece’s opening, and also to the autumnal flavor of the opening and closing harmony, which suggests a simple reverence for the historic tradition of this great American city.
— Daniel Temkin
Copyright © 2020 of Daniel Temkin Music (BMI), All Rights Reserved.