Bach to the Future for Youth String Orchestra (15’) 2011

Non-printable Score    

Program Note:

Bach to the Future has been commissioned by and composed for Porterville Summer Strings. This piece, rather than a presentation of my own imaginations or musical skills, is an educational composition that includes theme and six variations.

    Theme is one of the most well known classical melodies: Minuet in G, arguably by J.S. Bach and arguably written in 1725.

    Variation 1 is “Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)” I modeled Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in g minor. Instead of g minor, I changed it to G major. To me, Mozart’s music, even if it’s in a minor key, seems lighter than many other composers. In this variation, the theme wears happy and joyful clothes.

    Variation 2 is “Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827).” He wrote lots of funeral march, including the second

movement from his 3rd symphony “Eroica.” Very different from Mozart, Beethoven wrote many serious and heavy pieces. This variation is a “sad and solemn” transformation of the theme.

    Variation 3 is a mixture of “Frederic Chopin (1810-1849)” and “Claude Debussy (1862-1918).” Chopin’s music is categorized in romantic period, and Debussy ‘s is in impressionism. This variation juxtaposes romantic and mysterious characteristics.

    Variation 4 is the “Second Viennese School”: Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951), Anton Webern (1883-1945), and Alban Berg (1885-1935). They were highly interested in twelve-tone music (treating all 12 notes equally),

very complicated rhythms, and effects on each instrument. Through this variation, I express strange and abrupt characteristics we, human beings, have.

    Variation 5 is “Astor Piazzola (1921-1992).” He revolutionized dance music tango into a musical genre. Through this variation, the theme wears a very “hot and charming” dress and dances.

    Variation 6 is my own interpretation and variation of the theme. I do not want to define my musical style, yet I find myself enjoying writing and listening to slow, beautiful and emotional music. The variation starts slow and calm and transcends to victorious joy.

As the world changes, music changes. Through this piece, I’m one of the greatest composers in the history, J.S. Bach, to his future that he would have not been able to assume.

2011

E.B.