Description
Mahogany Moods
For saxophone, bass trombone, and piano
Duration: 13′
Premiered on September 21, 2015 by Tim McAllister (saxophones), Randy Hawes (bass trombone), Kathryn Goodson (piano)
Adapted for the following:
Viola, bass trombone, and piano
Saxophone, bass clarinet, and piano
Viola, bass clarinet, and piano
Program Notes:
I’ve been very fortunate to have been able compose for some of today’s great instrumental soloists, and “Mahogany Moods” is certainly no exception. Being asked to write a piece for Tim McAllister, Randy Hawes and Kathryn Goodson is like being asked if you wouldn’t mind winning the lottery.
The 2nd part of the title – “Moods” – is self-explanatory. The piece winds its way through various states of nostalgia, “cool”-jazz, funkiness, anxiety, pathos and excitement.
I arrived at the first part of the title – “Mahogany” – in a round-about sort of way. I was trying to think of something that captured the three performers, and I was led to Mahogany when thinking about their rich sounds, and also the common material often used for piano construction. It was only after finding that word that I realized how perfectly it matched their names: “M” for McAllister, “H” for Hawes, and “G” for Goodson, spelling “MaHoGany”.
My main goal of the piece was to give players of this caliber a vehicle for self-expression, while being enjoyable chamber music to perform. I certainly am indebted to them for giving me the opportunity for this collaboration.
Jim Stephenson; August, 2015
Program Notes (original version):
I’ve been very fortunate to have been able compose for some of today’s great instrumental soloists, and “Mahogany Moods” is certainly no exception. Being asked to write a piece for Tim McAllister, Randy Hawes and Kathryn Goodson is like being asked if you wouldn’t mind winning the lottery.
The 2nd part of the title – “Moods” – is self-explanatory. The piece winds its way through various states of nostalgia, “cool”-jazz, funkiness, anxiety, pathos and excitement.
I arrived at the first part of the title – “Mahogany” – in a round-about sort of way. I was trying to think of something that captured the three performers, and I was led to Mahogany when thinking about their rich sounds, and also the common material often used for piano construction. It was only after finding that word that I realized how perfectly it matched their names: “M” for McAllister, “H” for Hawes, and “G” for Goodson, spelling “MaHoGany”.
My main goal of the piece was to give players of this caliber a vehicle for self-expression, while being enjoyable chamber music to perform. I certainly am indebted to them for giving me the opportunity for this collaboration.
Jim Stephenson; August, 2015
Composer’s note: Shortly after the premiere of this work, I was contacted by Allen Cordingley (after he had performed another work of mine) to see if I might consider a new version, replacing the bass trombone with bass clarinet. I am thankful to Allen, as I would have never considered creating this type of version. Therefore, this version for bass clarinet (instead of bass trombone) is commissioned by and dedicated to:
ensemble 135: Corey Mackey, Allen Cordingley, and Elaina Burns
