During the coronavirus pandemic, I became drawn to compositions with an introspective quality. These meditations present four different inward-looking moods, colorfully presented by a wide range of instruments. When asked to write a piece for woodwind doubler, I thought a natural pairing might be a percussion accompaniment - after all, percussionists have always played many instruments. With each meditation using a different family of woodwind and percussion instruments, the piece highlights the versatility of both performers.
This first meditation is for oboe and english horn and is roughly inspired by the A 440 pitch that an oboe traditionally gives to tune an orchestra (played by the percussion in this case). The second meditation is for flute and piccolo, and to me depicts a kind of distant procession or march. The third meditation is for Bb, Eb, and bass clarinets, and is the most energetic of the set. The fourth meditation is for saxophone and draws from the neoclassical woodwind solos in Morricone’s film scores.
Note: Movements may be performed in any order or individually.

Four Meditations for Woodwind Doubler and Percussion | Noah Horowitz

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