Nocturne in Blue and Gold
Flute, Bâ™ Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Percussion (Bass Drum, Chimes, Vibraphone), Piano
Duration: 5'30"
(2021)
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Artist James McNeill Whistler painted Nocturne: Blue and Gold—Southampton Water in 1872. He saw a connection between music and artwork. He named many of his artworks after musical terms such as "arrangement", "symphony", and "harmony". Inspired by Whistler's art, "Nocturne in Blue and Gold" is a musical recreation of the painting, leaning into the murky and shadowy nature of the artwork. A repeating piano pattern and bass drum create a swirling well of sound that washes over the piece like waves, while the middle section represents the sun, the lonely dot of light, on the horizon.
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Commissioned by Dr. Jennifer Bellor. It was premiered on the November 15th, 2021 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.