Composition Commons^™

Franz Schubert, Overture In The Italian Style D. 591, Transcribed For Band By Randall Snyder, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

In 1817, in response to the Italian craze sweeping Vienna, the 20yr Schubert wrote two Overtures “in the Italian Style”. In particular, the second of these, D.591, captures the spirit of Rossini. It begins with a gently portentous slow introduction. After a brief pause, the tempo increases with a sprightly melody, its dotted rhythms echoing Rossini. Another theme is introduced before the eruption of one of those famous slow-building, repetitive “Rossini crescendos.” A repeat of this music leads tp a faster tempo and the Overture’s exciting conclusion.

duration: c. 7 minutes

Instrumentation: Flute 1, Flute 2, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet in …

Sanjo Nova, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

Sanjo Nova is a reimagining of the traditional Korean solo instrumental genre that developed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It expands the number of performers to a trio, and, along with the Changgo drum, uses the violin and cello, suggesting the Haeguem and Komungo. The work follows the general slow to fast form, using aspects of traditional Changdans (rhythmic patterns). Unlike the traditional Sanjo however, this piece is an arch form, with decreasing energy in the second half, arriving at the slow Chungmori tempo at the end. Janggu should play in the folk style, using a mallet …

Abstract Visions, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

American Visions is a musical portrait of six mid-century American Abstract Expressionist painters.

Arshile Gorky (1904-1948) uses twisted, elegant lines in 'biomorphic' forms in his abstract paintings along with an overlay of colors, synthesizing Surrealism with abstraction. Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011) is identified with the use of fluid shapes, abstract masses, and lyrical gestures. She used formats on which she painted, generally, simplified abstract compositions.staining into raw canvas Willem de Kooning (1904–1997) painted in a style that came to be referred to as "action painting” .The female figure is an important umage.. Mark Rothko (1903-1970) evolved to a style best known …

Saffron Paths: A Suite Of Asian Pieces, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

Flute Violin Cello Harp (optional piano)

Saffron Paths traces an imaginary musical journey though the Near East and Asia with stops in Persia, India, China, Korea and Japan, blending elements of Western and Eastern musical usage. It is designed as a suite that, in addition to a complete performance, individual movements can be performed separately.

Shiraz, inspired by a poem of Hafez (1325-1388), features a heterophonic melody and additive rhythms used in Arabic and Islamic music.

Bengali Night incorporates some aspects of classical Hindustani music including the tambura drone and Raga suggested by the Lydian mode.

Chinoserie (European imitation of …

Janus Quartet, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

flute

Bb clarinet

Eb alto saxophone

bassoon

program note This trio is a reworking of music originally written for piano in 1965 when the composer was 21 yrs. old. The 2020 revision attempts to both preserve and expand the basic characteristics of the original material..

duration: c. 9:30

Transposed Score (24 pp)

Janus Trio, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

flute

Bb clarinet

bassoon

program note This trio is a reworking of music originally written for piano in 1964 when the composer was 20 yrs. old. The 2020 revision attempts to both preserve and expand the basic characteristics of the original material..

duration: c. 12 minutes

Transposed Score (20 pp)

Janus Symphony, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

instrumentation: Flute 1 (Picc.), Flute 2, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Horn 1, Horn 2, Horn 3, Horn 4, Trumpet 1, Trumpet 2, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Trombone 3, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion 1, Percussion 2, Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, & Double Bass

program note The first two and a half movements were written in 1965 but for various reasons remained unfinished until 2018 when I began revisited the score and finished the third movement and added a new finale. An attenpt was made to continue in the same style as the …

The Eternal Cycle, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

For Flute, Clarinet in B-flat, Violin, Cello, and Soprano.

Duration: c. 4:00

Text by Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941).

"Veiled"

Rabindranath Tagore was born in Calcutta 1861 and died there 1941. He published poetry in Bengali and English and was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature for creating a synthesis of East and West. An all-around genius, Tagore was a composer of over 3000 songs as well as a distinguished painter. The Eternal Cycle, like much of his work, is suffused with spiritual ideas. The music incorporates some elements of classical Indian music, such as a drone, which sounds continuously through the …

The Loon, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

For Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, & Piano

Duration: 4:00

"Elegiac"

Poem by Marjorie Saiser

Loon populations have been declining significantly throughout their core range— mostly Canada and the northern tier of the United States—over the past 20 years, due in large part to mercury poisoning, acid rain, lead, and the rise of botulism in the Great Lakes region. Common loons are endangered in Vermont, threatened in New Hampshire and Michigan, and a species of special concern in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

Interstices, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

"a small or narrow space between things or parts"

For Marimbas (2) & Vibraphones (2)

Duration c. 7:00

All performers will need hard and soft mallets; Vibraphone 2 will need bow.

Interstices features lattice-like textures with interlocking lines posited in stratified registers and syncopated rhythms suggestive of Be-bop amd Funk.

"Playful"

Reliquary, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

"For Walter Gray"

For Viola 1 & Viola 2

Program note: Reliquary was conceived as a memorial for a friend and mentor, It is cast in three sections that trace a progression from dark to light, slow to fast. The first minimalist section explores a continuously evolving seven-note sequence. This is followd by a more animated section that references Mozart's Piano Concerto No, 17, K. 453, one of many works introduced to me by my friend. The final section, marked "Volante" (flying), completes the psychological arc of the piece with a numinous feeling of acceptance.

Duration: c. 5:45

Hegemony, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

For piano and orchestra 1973 - revised 2018

Instrumentation: Flute 1, Flute 2 - Piccolo, Flute 3 - Alto Flute, Oboe, English Horn, Bb Clarinet 1, Bb Clarinet 2 - Eb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone - Tenor Saxophone, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2 - Contrabassoon, Bb Trumpet, Horn, Tromsone, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion 1, Percussion 2, Percussion 3, Percussion 4, Harp, Piano Solo, Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3, Violin 4, Viola 1, Viola 2, Cello 1, Cello 2, Double Bass 1, Double Bass 2

Notes: This score is notated in concert pitch, all instruments sounding as written except piccolo, xylophone, …

Animè, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

For Piccolo/Flute, English Horn, Clarinet in Bb, and Bassoon

Animè (animated) is a 4 minute scherzo whose relentless 16th note moto perpetuo rhythm is interrupted only by short cadenzas by bassoon, English horn, flute, and clarinet. The wheels seem to come off towards the anarchic end with faster rhythmic subdivisions.

The work was recorded by Iwona Glinka and the Gdansk Trio.

"Animated"

This work is a revision of Logoriffic Tropes (2011).

Diversions, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

Instrumentation: Flute 1 (Picc.), Flute 2, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, Bb Clarinet 1, Bb Clarinet 2, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Horn 1, Horn 2, Bb Trumpet 1, Bb Trumpet 2, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion, Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

Duration c. 6 minutes

Program note: This music references the dual meaning of the title: - an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates (e.g. Divertimento); - a turning aside of your course or attention or concern; "a diversion from the main highway"; "a digression into irrelevant details"; "a deflection from the goal"

Transposed score …

Legong Variations, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

Instrumentation: Flute, Oboe, Bb Trumpet, Vibraphone, Piano

Program note: Legong Variations are comprised of over two dozen reiterations of an Javanese melody, its overall shape a modified palindrome, with variants becoming more and more dislocated, venturing further and further from the original tune before reversing the process and returning back to the initial theme. This is also reflected in the sequence of ever-increasing then descreasing tempi. Much of the ensemble writing is meant to suggest the heterophonic texture of the Indonesian Gamelan.

Duration: c. 5 minutes

(winner 2019 McMurry New Music Project)

"Redolent"

Janus Quintet, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

For Flute, Oboe, Bb Clarinet, Horn, and Bassoon.

This piece opens with an intoning of a series of seven notes F F# Eb (F) E A B, each serving as the pitch center for the following set of variations, The intervals of the "theme" are used to generate vertical and horizontal sonorities. The form is a modified palindrome. The variations share similar styles with their complimentary pairings:

I - VII

II - VI

III - V

(IV)

The fourth variation is a nested palindrome standing alone without a pairing.

This quintet is a reworking of a 1967 piece for piano …

Ascensions, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

For Flute, oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Horn in F, and Bassoon.

Ascensions, for woodwind quintet, was composed for Quintessential in conjunction with the Historical Society of Quincy (IL) and Adams County’s current WWI exhibit.

The work, in two parts, suggests two key moments in the life of Quincy balloonist Thomas Baldwin’s life. “1887” was the year of his first balloon ascent and parachute jump from Singleton Park in Quincy. “1917” represents the year of America’s entry into WW I and Baldwin’s contributions to the U.S. Signal Corp balloon division.

As parallel musical analogies, 1887, suggestive of the slow ascent of …

Horn Concerto, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

in memory of William Dieterich

Transposed Score

duration: c. 13:30

For: Flute-Picc. 1, Flute 2, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Horn in F 1, Horn in F 2, Trumpet in C 1, Trumpet in C 2, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion 2, Percussion 3, Solo Horn in F 3, Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, & Double Bass

47 pages

Chthonic Dances, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

Transposed Score

Duration: c. 8:15

Piccolo 1, Flute 2, Flute 3, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, English Horn, Clarinet in Eb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Contrabassoon. 3, Horn in F 1, Horn in F 2, Horn in F 3, Horn in F 4, Trumpet in C 1, Trumpet in C 2, Trumpet in C 3, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Trombone 3, Tuba, Timpani, Perc., Marimba, Percussion 2 1, Percussion 3 2, Harp, Piano, Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

[38 pages]

Mexico City Blues - Part Eight, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

For Horn in F, Tuba, & Narrator. Poems by Jack Kerouac

For Tom Meckes

The School Of Velocity (Carl Czerny Op 299), Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

For: Soprano Sax, Alto Sax, Baritone Sax, Harp, Piano, Percussion, Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Duck Call, M. Gong, Tubo, Wood Block, M. Cym, Whoopee Cushion, Bongos (brushes), Mouth Siren, Maracas, Lion's Roar, Mark Tree, Ratchet, slide whistle.

61 pages

Six Tableaux, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

For Alan Wenger, trumpet, and Orchestra Omaha, Kenneth Meints, director

Transposed Score: Flute 1 Flute 2 Flute 3 Oboe 1 Oboe 2 English Horn Clarinet in Bb 1 Clarinet in Bb 2 Bass Clarinet Bassoon 1 Bassoon 2 Bassoon 3 Horn in F 1 Horn in F 2 Horn in F 3 Horn in F 4 Trumpet in C 1 Trumpet in C 2 Trumpet in C 3 Trombone 1 Trombone 2 Trombone 3 Tuba Timpani Percussion 1 Percussion 2 1 Percussion 3 2 Harp Solo Trumpet in C 4 Violin I Violin II Viola Cello Double Bass

53 pages

Three Easter Settings, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

Trumpet in Bb 1, Trumpet in Bb 2, Horn in F, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Bells (optional Synth.),
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Marimba, Organ

Introit
1. Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
2. Lift High the Cross
3. My Tribute

New Tropes, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

for John Langfeld

Kyrie: Tenor Recorder 1 & Tenor Recorder 2

Credo: Soprano Recorder & Bass Recorder

Sanctus: Alto Recorder 1 & Alto Recorder 2

Eleven From The Japanese, Randall Snyder, Kenneth Rexroth

Randall Snyder Compositions

notes

In addition to the complete performance, a selection of individual songs may be assembled in any order, with the exception of #8, which must follow #7.

Passages marked “Free”, and “ad lib”, are to be sung individually without section synchronization creating a sound mass effect.. A single-numeral time signature indicates the approximate number of seconds in the measure.

Japanese is pronounced similar to Italian.

It is suggested the English translation be recited directly before each song.

written in 1987 for James Hejduk and the University of Nebraska Singers revised 2014

duration: c. 16 minutes

Labyrinth, For Saxophone Ensemble And Double Bass, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

Soprano sax 1, soprano sax 2

Also sax 1, alto sax 2

Tenor sax 1, tenor sax 2

Baritone sax

Double bass solo

18 pp.

A Dickson Tryprich: Hope Is The Thing With Features, There Came A Wind Like A Bugle, Blue Sea, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

instrumentation Flute 1 (Picc.) Flute 2 Oboe Bassoon Bb Clarinet 1 Bb Clarinet 2 Bb Clarinet 3 Bass Clarinet Alto Sa 1 Alto Sax 2 Tenor Sax Baritone Sax Soprano Alto Tenor Bass Bb Trumpet 1 Bb Trumpet 2 Horn 1 Horn 2 Trombone 1 Trombone 2 Tuba Timpani Percussion 1 Percussion 2

Chrome Pieces, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

Chrome Pieces (2009)

I Incisive

II Veiled

III Plaintive

IV Manic

V Elegaic

Program notes: Chrome Pieces is in part an exploration of the coloristic capabilities of the brass quintet. Consisting of mostly fast, relatively concise music, the quintet features solos and duets in the inner movements while emphasizing full, equal ensemble participation in I and V, somewhat suggestive of the arch form. Further symmetry is provided by the use of mutes in II and IV. The opening movement, cast in three sections, is built around a marcato four-note figure yielding to a softer, lyric middle section. The tuba is …

Spring Rounds, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

Dance of the Centaurs
Naiad Water Dance
Botticelli's Waltz
Agon

For Flute & Harpsichord

Forest Steps, Randall Snyder

Randall Snyder Compositions

for Becky Gann

duration: 7:00

Soprano Saxophone & Piano

Inspired by the Japanese Shakuhachi master, Yoshio Kurahashi