Composer

:

Joan Tower

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Tone Poem

Compose Date

:

1981

Average_duration

:

16:21

Joan Tower's "Sequoia" is a contemporary classical composition for orchestra that was composed in 1981. The piece was premiered on February 5, 1982, by the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leonard Slatkin. "Sequoia" is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 16 minutes. The piece is characterized by its use of contrasting textures and dynamics, as well as its incorporation of extended techniques for the orchestra. The opening of the piece features a slow, mysterious introduction that gradually builds in intensity before giving way to a fast, rhythmic section. Tower uses a variety of percussion instruments, including maracas, tambourine, and woodblocks, to create a driving, syncopated rhythm that propels the music forward. Throughout the piece, Tower employs a wide range of orchestral colors, from the delicate, shimmering sounds of the harp and celesta to the bold, brassy tones of the trumpets and trombones. The middle section of the piece features a hauntingly beautiful melody played by the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds and brass. This melody is then developed and transformed through a series of variations, each one more complex and intricate than the last. The climax of the piece is a powerful, dissonant chord that is played by the entire orchestra. This chord is then followed by a quiet, introspective coda that brings the piece to a close. Overall, "Sequoia" is a dynamic and engaging work that showcases Tower's skill as a composer and her ability to create music that is both challenging and accessible.

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