The Clock and the Train

Year: 2022 | Duration: 9′ | Wind Ensemble

Currently available for purchase

Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flute 1, 2
Oboe 1, 2
Bassoon 1, 2
Clarinet in Eb
Clarinet in Bb 1, 2, 3
Bass Clarinet in Bb
Soprano Saxophone
Alto Saxophone 1, 2
Tenor Saxophone 1, 2 Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet in Bb 1, 2, 3 (straight mute) Horn in F 1, 2, 3, 4 Trombone 1, 2, 3 Bass Trombone Euphonium Tuba Double Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion 1: crotales, vibraphone (w/ bow)
Percussion 2: marimba, gong (w/ bow)
Percussion 3: tambourine, bongos, wind chimes, bass drum, wood block, 16” sus. cymbal

Description

The Clock and the Train is inspired by the painting Time Transfixed by René Magritte. The painting explores the perception of time through juxtaposing a clock sitting on a mantle and a train with smoke coming out of its chimney barreling out of a fireplace. The proximity of these two objects, seemingly frozen in time, creates a simultaneous sense of motion and stasis. The Clock and the Train plays with motion and stasis throughout the piece, moving between them using a small set of thematic material. Sometimes, time dilates in relationship to the continuous pulse of the train and other times it stands completely still. The piece ends in a timeless state in which previous themes return and are disconnected from each other and the surrounding texture.