A Joyous Trilogy (2019, rev. 2021)

for Orchestra

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Composed September - October 2019, revised 2021

Commissioned by Orchestra Seattle and Seattle Chamber Singers (OSSCS)

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*First prize winner of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York's 2020-2021 Emerging Composers Competition: Orchestral - Division II

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*2021 ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards - Honorable Mention

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14-16 Minutes

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Instrumentation: 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, Tuba, Timpani, 3 Percussion, Harp and Strings

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Percussion: Crotales, Vibraphone, Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Triangle, Suspended Cymbal, Bass Drum, Tam-tam

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Premiere:

Harmonia Orchestra; the composer conducting - February 15, 2020

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Subsequent Performances:

Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI; John Axelrod conducting - June 17, 2021 (European Premiere)

Marquette Symphony Orchestra; Octavio Más-Arocas conducting - June 19, 2021

University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra; Kenneth Kiesler conducting (1st mov. only) - September 17, 2021

Utah Symphony Orchestra; Conner Gray Covington conducting - September 30, 2021

Memphis Symphony Orchestra; Robert Moody conducting - October 9/10, 2021

Mansfield Symphony Orchestra; Katherine Kilburn conducting - October 23, 2021

Omaha Area Youth Symphony Orchestra; Aviva Segall conducting - November 14, 2021 (1st/2nd movs. only)

Mesquite Symphony Orchestra; Felix Torres conducting - February 20, 2022 (Texas premiere)

Amarillo Symphony; Conner Gray Covington conducting - March 25/26, 2022

South Bend Symphony Orchestra; Alastair Willis conducting - April 2, 2022

Houston Ballet Orchestra; Ermanno Florio and Quinn Mason conducting - June 2-12, 2022

Vermont Symphony Orchestra; Julian Pellicano conducting - July 1-10, 2022

Minnesota Orchestra; Caleb Young conducting - July 24, 2022 (1st mov. only)

​Program note:

For 'A Joyous Trilogy', the composer writes that he “wanted to create a composition that was the very embodiment of happiness and cheerfulness, an accessible work that would put any listener in a good mood. The first movement, ‘Running’ is so called because of its always-moving and seemingly never-waning energy that keeps going and going. The second, ‘Reflection,’ is a gentle and introspective meditation featuring a solo trombone. The third, ’Renewal,’ picks the energy back up, but a little more spirited and zestful this time, and keeps it going to the very end, complete with dynamic and vibrant interplay between all the orchestral sections.

 

Quinn Mason has dedicated this work to “Will White, a friend and mentor for many years now, and one of the most joyous people I know!”

 

-Jeff Eldridge (Principal Bassoon, Harmonia Orchestra)