One Step Forward, One Back

Taylor, Alan

Composed

2001

Instrumentation

Wind Ensemble

Scoring

fl, ob, cl, hn, bn

Availability

Contact CoMA

About the work

The piece explores a series of long chords in the upper instruments, which gradually open out, then close back in again – contrasting with a vigorous bass line, and interrupted by the occasional outburst. It was written over several days during a long cycle journey across Spain. I was concussed at the time, following an accident the day before starting to write it!

Technical notes

The piece consists of long swelling chords in the upper instruments, and a strong bass line in the lower instruments, which are played independently, but interrupted by the occasional outburst. Most of the music is easy, and the outbursts are an effect, and so minor errors will not matter so long as the spirit is there.