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Jason V. Barabba |
Curious Squid
| Instrumentation | (3.3.3.3/4.3.3.1/2perc/hp/pf(cel.)/str) |
| Length | Approximately 8 Minutes |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Comments | Curious Squid was inspired by creatures that briefly appear in one of Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" novels. Like the novel, it has some slightly dark and quiet moments, but it livens up fairly quickly. The "curious squid" are creatures that are simply curious about things around them. I was attracted to the idea of creatures whose main characteristic is an interest in the things around them. And, while certainly in the opening of this piece, I had an image of these strange creatures floating around in the darkness waiting for something to happen, I was not thinking “squid” for the entire piece. Much like in the book, they were a tool to get things going. |
| Sources | Scores and parts are available from the composer, http://www.jasonbarabba.com. Email jason@jasonbarabba.com. |
| Extras | |
| History | A piano trio version of this piece was premiered by the California E.A.R. Unit in 2007. The full orchestra version has not been performed. |
| Contributor | the composer |
| Other | |
Study in Orange
| Instrumentation | String Orchestra. Can be performed by an orchestra of any size from quintet on up. |
| Length | Approximately 10 Minutes |
| Difficulty | Written for student orchestra. There are a few measures here and there that challenge them, but still fairly easy for most student orchestras. It is appropriate for any level of ensemble. |
| Comments | Study in Orange was written for a high-school orchestra. My intent was to create a piece they could play that would provide just the right level of challenge for them, while also giving them a chance to learn about some aspects of music like form and non-tonal harmonies. The A-B-C-B-A form is easily grasped, and the whole-tone and octatonic scales are prevalent. However, this piece is not only intended for youth orchestras.
There is absolutely no programmatic background for Study in Orange…it doesn’t have a story. My intention was to luxuriate with the sound possibilities inherent in a string orchestra, which is one of my favorite sound worlds to work in. It was a very fun piece to write. |
| Sources | Scores and parts are available from the composer.
http://www.jasonbarabba.com
jason@jasonbarabba.com |
| Extras | A live recording is available at http://oxycaltech.fatrockink.com/09-27-08/index.html |
| History | Study in Orange was commissioned by the Orange County High School for the Arts. It has subsequently been performed by the Community Youth Orchestra of Southern California and the Occidental-Caltech Symphony. |
| Contributor | the composer |
| Other | |
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