Music Finland Core

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<p>Of aspens, hills and shattered dreams takes as its central theme a search for belonging or rest, a sense of being far from home, both physically and spiritually. The title encloses three distinct metaphors. This sought-after feeling of connectedness seemed to me to be embodied in aspen trees, which may seem on the surface to be separate entities, but in reality are only small parts of a single living organism, their lives inextricably intertwined through underground root systems with that of their fellows. Hills or mountains have always been a potent archetypal symbol: of goals seen from afar but as yet unattempted, of tasks at hand, or places from the top of which one can survey other peaks and valleys. Although the final image of “shattered dreams” may seem pessimistic, it is not intended to have negative connotations, but is merely reflective of the life-altering changes one experiences, and of the dichotomy between one’s desires and one’s actual needs. The journey toward home in Of aspens, hills and shattered dreams is made across a sonic landscape framed at the beginning and end by the ringing of wind chimes and soft, rustling music in the winds and strings. In between, the music shifts constantly from one aural impression to another, pervaded by a sense of unease as gentle but persistent dissonances refuse to resolve, and soaring melodies strive to break free of the surrounding texture. Through this dreamlike sequence, the reality of corporeal existence is glimpsed in the form of light, ephemeral dance rhythms flitting across the surface, always distant, and eventually carried away by an endless flow of melody. The dance constantly reappears, however, becoming more insistent each time. Despite renewed melodic attempts to calm the texture, the dance bursts forth anew, demanding acknowledgement, amid bell-like brass fanfares and the frenetic pounding of drums. For a brief moment the dance is joined, soaring too high too quickly, only to be torn apart in the violence of the ensuing climax. The music subsides into a rocking, lullaby-like section, in which layer upon layer of sound rises, unhindered this time, toward a final, consolatory climax, a place of solace reached not forcibly, but through a kind of self-awareness, as if the music were held aloft from within. The work ends in a rush of breath, coming full circle back to the rustling sounds of the opening, as if the journey had been ultimately unnecessary, and all that was needed were present from the start. Perhaps home is not actually reached, but I hope there is sense of acceptance of the impermanent, and of happiness in the moments of stability we are afforded. In the end, Of aspens, hills and shattered dreams is at once a requiem for innocence lost, a song of comfort for those born into the dance of life, and a hymn of joy for the simple wonder of being. © Matthew Whittall</p>

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Movements

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Abbreviation	Instrument
Woodwind
acl	alto clarinet
afl	alto flute
arec	alto recorder
asax	alto saxophone
barsax	baritone saxophone
barhn	baritone horn
bcl	bass clarinet
bfl	bass flute
bob	bass oboe
bsax	bass saxophone
bsn	bassoon
cbsn	contrabassoon
cl	clarinet
ehn	English horn
fl	flute
hn	French horn
ob	oboe
pic	piccolo
rec	recorder
sax	saxophone
srec	soprano recorder
ssax	soprano saxophone
trec	tenor recorder
tsax	tenor saxophone
Brass
ahn	alto horn
atrb	altotrombone
barhn	baritone horn
btrb	bass trombone
cornet	cornet
euph	euphonium
fhn	flugelhorn
hn	French horn
tba	tuuba
thn	tenor horn
trb	trombone
trp	trumpet
Percussion
dr	drums
glock	glockenspiel
mar	marimba
perc	percussion
timp	timpani
vibr	vibraphone
xyl	xylophone
Strings
db	double bass
gamba	viola da gamba
str	strings
vla	viola
vlc	cello
vln	violin
Other
acc	accordion
cel	celesta
cemb	harpsichord
chords	chords
elbas	electric bass
elg	electric guitar
elorg	electric organ
elpno	electric piano
guit	guitar
harm	harmonium
hca	harmonica
hp	harp
instr	instrument
kantele	kantele
keyb	keyboard
live electr	live electronics
mand	mandolin
mel	melody
org	organ
pno	piano
synth	synthesizer
tape	tape
Vocal
alto	alto
baryt	baritone
basso	bass voice
ch	choir
chc	childrens choir
chf	female choir
chm	male choir
chx	mixed choir
cten	countertenor
mezzo	mezzo-soprano
sopr	soprano
speaker	speaker
ten	tenor
voc	vocal

Symphony orchestra
2222 4331 11 1, str = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 French horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, one other percussionist, harp and strings
Wind band
2252 3 423 21212 3 = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 5 clarinets, 2 bassoons - 3 saxophones - 4 French horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones - 2 cornets, alto horn, 2 tenor horns, baritone horn, 2 tubas - 3 percussionists
Big band
221 4 4, pno, guit, db, dr = 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, baritone saxophone, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, piano, guitar, double bass, drums
Additional codes
+	fl+pic = flutist doubles on piccolo
/	pno/org = can be played on either piano or organ
lib	ad libitum
obl	obligato
str	str: 65432 = specified number of string players
str min	str min: 65432 = at least 65432
str max	str max: 65432 = not more than 65432
solo	vln solo = violin is the solo instrument in a work not obviously for solo violin

Of aspens, hills, and shattered dreams