REVEAL (2018)
oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon, bass
oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon, bass
PROGRAM NOTES
Open for interpretation as an action, noun, or command, I have chosen the word “reveal” to describe this work because it inherently suggests some process of unveiling, but remains intentionally vague as to what is unveiled. This composition has served as an opportunity for me to move away from program music in my recent work, but I have still striven to create direction and narrative within the music, simply without a set storyline. After boisterous foreshadowing of later intensity, the opening theme is presented, softly and fragmented at first. The motivic material slowly expands as more instruments join, adding to the texture and dialogue. As the second theme appears, a new character is introduced, and the two themes intermingle and develop as the piece progresses. Finally, the energy builds until a powerful restatement of the entire first theme. Only when the music has reached its peak is there a point of release over a bass drone. As resolution attempts to settle in, one can decide what exactly has been revealed.
—Jacob Beranek
Open for interpretation as an action, noun, or command, I have chosen the word “reveal” to describe this work because it inherently suggests some process of unveiling, but remains intentionally vague as to what is unveiled. This composition has served as an opportunity for me to move away from program music in my recent work, but I have still striven to create direction and narrative within the music, simply without a set storyline. After boisterous foreshadowing of later intensity, the opening theme is presented, softly and fragmented at first. The motivic material slowly expands as more instruments join, adding to the texture and dialogue. As the second theme appears, a new character is introduced, and the two themes intermingle and develop as the piece progresses. Finally, the energy builds until a powerful restatement of the entire first theme. Only when the music has reached its peak is there a point of release over a bass drone. As resolution attempts to settle in, one can decide what exactly has been revealed.
—Jacob Beranek
