Red

Red, from Autumn Triptych, Eric Nathan (2008) 15'
for wind ensemble

“Autumn Triptych” was commissioned by the twelve member schools of the Atlantic Coast Conference Band Directors Association. It is inspired by three paintings, each related to autumn: Jackson Pollock’s “Autumn Rhythm” (1950), John Atkinson Grimshaw’s “Evening Glow” (c.1884), and Georgia O’Keeffe’s “The Red Maple at Lake George” (1926). My piece does not seek to represent the paintings, but instead uses the paintings as a springboard for inspiration and musical form. It is my sincere hope that viewing the paintings will lend deeper insight into the meaning of the music and the music in some way may allow the viewer to see the art from a new perspective.

The three movements may either be performed individually or as a set (and may also be grouped in pairs).

III. “Red” is inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s painting “The Red Maple at Lake George” (1926). My work is inspired by O’Keeffe’s intensely vibrant and fiery depiction of a red maple leaf. The music references different associations with the color red, from the fiery and sassy to the robust and vibrantly radiant.

Instrumentation: Piccolo 1-2, flute 1-2, oboe 1-2, bassoon 1-2, clarinet 1-3, bass clarinet, alto saxophone 1-2, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet 1-3, horn 1-4, tenor trombone 1-2, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, timpani, percussion 1-4, piano