Snapshots from México – 7 movements for brass quintet:
Duration: ca. 10:30
Premiere: 11.14.2012 at Rice University by Andrew McCormick and David Sedgwick, trumpets, Emily Nagel, horn, Steven Galloway, trombone, and Rick Stiles, bass trombone.
Recording: by Andrew McCormick and David Sedgwick, trumpets, Nathan Udell, horn, Steven Galloway, trombone, and Rick Stiles, bass trombone.
Program Notes:
After completing my third year of university, I decided to take an entire Gap Year in México. This—my long awaited first trip south of the border—was filled with some of the most exciting and memorable experiences of my life. As such, Snapshots from México is a sort of musical “scrapbook” recalling some of my most vivid memories from this time. –DK
Listen to I. Cuco y la Cucaracha below:
One evening after dinner, one of my roomates, Cuco, (a hilarious guy) was singing joyfully as he washed the dishes. Then suddenly, an enormous cockroach began to brave its way across the backsplash behind the sink. After what seems to have been poor calculation, the unfortunate cockroach inevitably lost its footing, falling right into the dishwater where Cuco’s hands were submerged. The scene quickly devolved into absolute chaos. Cuco, horrified and disgusted, started screaming (very high pitched!) and splashing water all over the kitchen in an effort to remove the ill-fated little beast.
Listen to II. La Basílica de Guadalupe below:
The nearly 500 year old tilma bearing the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is indescribable when seen in person. Melodies from a famous song about La Guadalupana are woven into this movement.
Listen to III. Ghost Stories at the Campfire below:
What scary and hair-raising ghost stories Cuco told on this unforgettable camping trip!
Listen to IV. Terreno Desértico – Desert Terrain below:
On a journey to and from Guadalajara, I was impressed by the desert terrain which was sometimes flat and lonely and sometimes impressively cragged and crinkled.
Listen to V. Lagartija en mi Mochila : Lizard in My Bookbag below:
In this movement, marked Awkward, ma non troppo, I remember the 10-inch lizard I caught while hiking in the Huasteca mountains (yes, I was young and foolish). Descending a mountain is usually much more awkward than ascending, and as I fell several times (even on my back) I began to dread the fate of the lizard in my backpack. When I finally returned home to open my backpack… I saw the poor guy just laying there, as if frozen… until… he suddenly snapped out of it and dashed across the room and up the wall!
Listen to VI. El D.F. – Mexico City below:
Although impressive in its enormous population and fascinating history, Mexico City seemed a bit overwhelming… Smog, noise, next-level traffic… I associate all these with my experience of the nation’s capital… Here, I especially pay gentle tribute to the chilangos’ fondness of a modern invention: the car horn.
Listen to VII. Mar Abierto – Open Sea below:
In Acapulco, about 30 minutes from the main bahía, I became acquainted with a force of nature: the under toe. This inspired in me both awe and respect for the power of the open sea.