Scenes from the Bayou, for trumpet, horn, trombone

by Gina Gillie

$27

Scenes from the Bayou  was written in 2016 on a commission from Dr. James Boldin for his trio, the Black Bayou Brass.This piece is a collection of short  programmatic scenes that portray various times of day, animals, and scenery at the lush Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana. The first movement, “Morning on the Bayou,” begins in calm stillness as birds slowly wake and begin singing. Bird calls are imitated with trills and sixteenth notes that oscillate between two notes. A major tonality in 6/8 time pervades the middle section of the movement as all the wildlife in the refuge go about their morning. The movement ends with a slow, rhythmically augmented version of the opening as we settle in for the remainder of the day. Lunch time takes place in the second movement, “Chasing Prey,” as a quick-paced predator pursues small prey in hopes of a meal. You can hear the winding path of the chase and draw your own conclusions at the end.  “Bayou Boardwalk,” the third movement, employs a sweet swing that pays tribute to Louisiana's rich jazz heritage. This music accompanies a stroll down a wooden boardwalk in the park, under the trees and by the lake. One of the many common sights in bayous of the south is the haunting Cypress tree. The fourth movement,
“Cypress Trees,” evokes the gauzy imagery of tangled roots, hanging moss, and tall canopies. A perpetual 8th note ostinato runs through the movement, representing the mesmerizing calm of the water, while long sustained lines
portray the mystic beauty of the tall trees. The day in the Bayou ends with a sunset: “Fire in the Sky.” Strikingly vivid colors of pink, orange, and red flash
across the sky in an end-of-day fanfare.

Performance time:  approx 14:00
Appropriate for recitals and chamber settings.