Catstravaganza! (2011, rev. 2012)

Instrumentation: Wind Ensemble

Duration: 5:30

Commissioning Ensemble: Butler Wind Ensemble

Performances:

Butler Wind Ensemble
Kyle Wernke, Conductor
April, 2011
Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University

Butler Wind Ensemble
Robert Grechesky, Conductor
October, 2012
Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University

Program Notes:

There is nothing more mock-serious than kittens involved in play. In 2010 I adopted two kittens, Scout and Finnegan, and was in awe of their boundless energy, enthusiasm, and love of play. It seemed the two of them could pretend to fight each other for hours on end, and I was exhausted just watching them. When Dr. Robert Grechesky asked me to write a concert opener for my final concert with the Butler Wind Ensemble, I was immediately interested in portraying themes of play and ferocity in my piece. This piece, Catstravaganza! was the result. The piece starts of ferociously, but is immediately undermined with hints of a playful tune in 7/8 that is an almost sarcastic statement on the ferocity that came before it. The piece continues this way until the middle section where a sweeping elegiac version of theme rocks these exhausted kittens to sleep. However, as anyone who has been owned by a kitten knows, sleep can turn to play in an instant. The piece screams toward the finish line, culminating in a rhythmic motif from James Horner’s score for Aliens before coming to a delightful conclusion.