Journey Through Time

Composer

Alan Bullard: alan.bullard.tripod.com

General Information

Year: 2010

Duration: 15 minutes

Publisher: Unpublished (Further details directly from Alan Bullard)

Instrumentation

Flute I-III (Part I doubling piccolo),

Oboe I-II

Bb Clarinet I-III

Bb Bass Clarinet

Bb Contrabass Clarinet

Eb Alto Saxophone I-II

Bb Tenor Saxophone

Eb Baritone Saxophone

Bassoon

Contrabassoon

Antiphonal group of Flute I-II and Bb Clarinet I-II (all divisi)

Programme notes

The work is based on a single idea, which is developed by being extended by a different musical interval for each section. The different intervals give each section their character, leading from the dissonant and brooding ‘Darkness’ section at the beginning though various moods to a jazzy ‘Animals’ section and a ‘Humans’ section which explores a range of musical styles and leads to a grand climax. However, in the last section the musical material unravels, reverting to short echoes of previous sections as, reminded of the dark chaos of the opening, we imagine what could be in store for the future of our world.

The plan of the piece is as follows:

•    Darkness (minor 2nds)
•    Interlude
•    Light (major 2nds)
•    Interlude
•    Land and Sea (minor 3rds)
•    Interlude
•    Plants and Trees (major 3rds)
•    Interlude
•    Fishes and Birds (perfect 4ths)
•    Interlude
•    Animals (augmented 4ths)
•    Humans (perfect 5ths)
•    The future? (all intervals)

Performances

Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble and BWE2 (Shea Lolin, conductor) at St. John's, Smith Square, London, UK on 27 November 2010.