Midnight Fantasy for Alto Saxophone or Clarinet in Bb and Chamber Orchestra

Abstract

Midnight Fantasy (1988) is based on a three-note chromatic cluster that derives from the beginning of an old, evocative Nat King Cole song. The cluster, first appearing at the opening of the work, is transformed through octave displacements into melodic figures of a lyrical nature and leads to a nightingale’s song. Fast descending sonorities occasionally interrupt the tranquil mood of the music. The interplay of tonal and atonal elements creates mood changes and affects the overall structure of the piece. A dramatic middle section embellished by short, fast passages brings the music back to the opening three-note cluster. A highly contrapuntal section builds up to loud sonorities echoed by very soft clusters. The nightingale’s song appears again as an epilogue. The composition ends with some haunting sonorities enhanced by antique cymbals and triangles.