Although not programmatically inspired, this piece has been entitled "Prelude to a Woe" to draw attention to its mysterious, brooding, frightful, cacophonous, and even weary character. Inspired by the work of Johannes Brahms, Gustav Mahler, Igor Stravinsky, Dimitri Shostakovich, Joseph Schwantner, and John Corigliano, this piece combines color, rhythmic complexity, and intense layering with a roaring drive and passionate expression. The piece, driven forward by an ever-persistent ostinato, grows from small motivic seeds an entire ecosystem of musical thought. From these seeds come recurring brass fanfares that grow ever stronger, as if warning of some coming judgment.

Instrumentation:

• Flute

• Oboe

• 2 Clarinets in Bb

• Alto Saxophone

• Tenor Saxophone

• Baritone Saxophone

• Bassoon

• 2 Trumpets in Bb

• 2 Horns in F

• Trombone

• Bass Trombone

• Euphonium

• Tuba

• Percussion (3 players): snare drum (sometimes with brushes), bass drum, crash cymbals, suspended cymbal, triangle, tambourine, cabasa, xylophone, glockenspiel, vibraphone, marimba (4.3 octave)

• Piano