Boiling Clouds

BOILING CLOUDS - for soprano saxophone & piano

The up-beat character of this composition stems from a syncopated bass pulse (3+3+3+3+2+2) that is evident throughout the work. This obsessive bass line is often challenged by more irregular material in the higher register which creates a contrast to the predictable ostinato. Another important character of this work are the percussive clusters in the lower register of the piano which jolt the music erratically. A soft, yet turbulent prelude introduces the music. In this opening section, the composer presents the palette of his materials disguised under a diffused dynamic, before the true nature of the music is released. Half way through the music the soprano saxophone unleashes an unruly solo featuring piercing melodic contours, fast virtuoso patters, runs, shrieks and shrills. This solo quality is picked up again towards the end of the piece in a cadenza, leading the music to an explosive finale. “Boiling Clouds” is commissioned by HDDuo (Michael Duke and David Howie). This work was made possible with the financial assistance from The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust through their Music Scholarship Program 2018

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