[About the composition] These brief movements can be thought of as character pieces on eight contrasting states of mind and/or reactions to circumstances, as suggested by the colloquial idioms of their titles. None of them are of overly deep significance, but are here rendered in the sorts of rich textures that suggest quirky conduct and an absorbed state of mind. Roughly described:
I. In the Groove - in a slow, propulsive funk style; a high-spirited, ecstatic, carried-away-by-the-music. About 3:25.
II. In the Weeds - suggestive of panic, with so much chaos that it all threatens to crash and burn. About 1:55.
III. In a Funk - mournful, reflective, occasionally sobbing; a deep regret at a profound loss. About 3:45.
IV. In a Tizzy - a mix of concern, excitement, and distraction that requires clever improvisation to stay ahead of a situation (see: In the Weeds). About 3:20.
V. In the Zone - a state of pleasurable concentration that fosters a period of exceptionally high functioning; zeroing in on the task at hand and ignoring all distraction (see: In the Groove). About 2:35.
VI. In a Huff - a condition of exceptional anger or annoyance erupting suddenly. About 1:05.
VII. In a Mellow Tone - self descriptive, with a nod to the Duke. About 1:00, attacca ---
VIII. In High Cotton - a Southernism - current fortune is good, as when the cotton has grown high. Duke honed his writing style during his band’s tenure at the Cotton Club in Harlem, 1927-1931. 3:05.
A fairly consistent treatment of melody and harmony strive to bind all of these together: the underlying influence of the fully-diminished 7th chord. The occasional °7th chord does occur, but more important is the manifestation of the intervals of this chord in other relationships: bits of °7th chord arpeggio in melodies, diminished triads buried in other harmonies, key relationships by minor 3rds, augmented 4ths, and minor 6ths, and so on.
[About the musicians] The Palmetto Saxophone Quartet is a dynamic ensemble dedicated to exploring new repertoire and delivering unique and profound performances of classic and forgotten scores. As teaching-artists, they are also passionate about nurturing the next generation of saxophonists and chamber musicians through clinics and masterclasses. / palmettosaxophonequartet
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8 сен 2024
