My first symphonic piece. Stress seems to follow me everywhere.

The 15th Floor (An Escape, Unsuccessful.) v2

INSTRUMENTATION
Flute
Clarinet in Bb
Horn in F
2 Percussionists:
(5 Timpani, Crotales, Tam-Tam, Snare, Rachet, Bass Drum, Wood Blocks, Large Suspended Cymbal, Anvil, Mark Tree, Tubular Bells, Large Triangle, Marimba, Medium Shaker, Glockenspiel)
Cello

PROGRAM NOTES

The Farmer and the Viper is organized into the following parts: A Viper, A Rescue, A Farmer, A Journey, A Farmhouse, The Poison, and A Death.

A viper freezes in a cold winter’s night. Upon discovery, the farmer takes pity and decides to rescue the viper. The farmer races home on horseback so to revive the weakened snake. His farmhouse hearth enlivens the viper, who upon full resurrection bites him out of instinct. As the poison pulses through the farmer’s blood, his heartbeat and breathing become increasingly erratic.The kind and gentle farmer succumbs to the poison—the serpent incognizant and incapable of experiencing the very compassion that rescued it.

This classic fable is something that rang true for a close friend who experienced a similar life circumstance. You can never be a hero for those averse to rescue, or as Aesop wrote, “Kindness to evil will be met by betrayal.”

—Jay DeShan

http://issuu.com/jaydeshan/docs/farmer_and_the_viper_-_full_score_2

The Farmer And The Viper

Random collection of new music since I moved to San Jose.

Jay DeShan

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