Fisherman’s Feast
Fisherman’s Feast is the first of two separate pieces written for wind quintet. The music starts joyously with a horn melody. The mix of articulations and the trills in the accompanying instruments keep the music lighthearted. The 6/8 time signature also aids the jaunty atmosphere. In the second section, the theme is stretched out to a much slower tempo. This slower version develops into a new theme in it’s own right. The music is gentle and lyrical at this point, before moving back to a more upbeat style. The horn and bassoon are almost comical at the lower end of the orchestration.
The central section consists of another lyrical theme, and later enters a minor key for the first time. The darker moment is short-lived however, and the flute adds real height as it returns the music to a happier mood. A quick glimpse of the initial theme gives a false start effect, before the joyous theme is heard in full. The piece ends with all instruments at full tilt, showing off the considerable power of the small group of instruments.
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