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World without Words Stephen Andrew Taylor, 2009 |
CD available from Amazon |
Commissioned by Debra Richtmeyer and premiered March 4, 2010,
by the University of Illinois Saxophone Choir, conducted by Debra Richtmeyer.
Available on the recording World
Without Words from Amazon.com.
WorldWithoutWords.mp3 (8:30
- not quite as nice as the CD version)
Program Note
Written in May 2009, this piece is called World without Words for several reasons: most of my recent works have been for voice, and I was both excited and nervous about returning to instrumental music. I had also just read about animals communicating without language, which seemed like a natural connection - I really wanted this piece to communicate directly with listeners. Finally, 13 saxophones can seem like a whole world in itself(!). Musically it's a mongrel - inspired by a cross between Julia Wolfe (her piece Lad for ascending bagpipes), Moondog (his song “New Amsterdam”) and a chord progression reminiscent of Radiohead. The piece is dedicated to the memory of writer David Foster Wallace.
Last updated March 19, 2010 by Stephen Andrew Taylor, staylor7@illinois.edu