Composer

:

Michael Torke

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1984

Average_duration

:

6:49

Yellow Pages is a contemporary classical composition by American composer Michael Torke. The piece was composed in 1985 and premiered on March 28, 1986, by the New York City Ballet at the New York State Theater. The composition is scored for a large orchestra consisting of woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings. Yellow Pages is a single-movement work that is approximately 15 minutes in length. The piece is characterized by its bright and energetic sound, which is achieved through the use of repetitive rhythmic patterns and colorful orchestration. The composition is divided into several sections, each of which features a different rhythmic and melodic motif. The opening section of Yellow Pages features a driving rhythm in the percussion and brass, which is then joined by the strings and woodwinds. The melody is simple and repetitive, with each section of the orchestra taking turns playing the main theme. The second section of the piece features a more lyrical melody, which is played by the strings and then echoed by the woodwinds. The third section of Yellow Pages is marked by a change in tempo and a shift in the harmonic structure. The melody becomes more complex, with the different sections of the orchestra playing off of each other in a call-and-response fashion. The fourth section of the piece features a return to the driving rhythm of the opening, with the brass and percussion leading the way. The final section of Yellow Pages is marked by a gradual slowing of the tempo and a return to the more lyrical melody of the second section. The piece ends with a quiet and peaceful coda, which brings the composition to a gentle close. Overall, Yellow Pages is a dynamic and colorful composition that showcases Michael Torke's skill as a composer. The piece is characterized by its use of repetitive rhythmic patterns, bright orchestration, and shifting harmonic structures. Yellow Pages has become a popular work in the contemporary classical repertoire and is frequently performed by orchestras and ballet companies around the world.

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