Soundings On ‘The Erie Canal’, A Fantasy for Brass Quintet

Description

“Soundings on the Erie Canal”was composed in 1984 and is based on the well-known American folk song “Fifteen Miles on the Erie Canal”. The piece is written to be light-hearted and fun rather than a serious addition to the brass quintet repertoire. With the main melody, there is a lyric counter melody. The two interact in a musical exploration of different styles and variations, spanning from the barouque to bee-bop and jazz. The international quotes in the middle section represent the different nationalities of immigrants who helped build the Erie canal (chinese, Irish and Mexican). The piece ends with an exciting Presto, which is a variation on the main melody. Although this piece is an early work of Mr. Turner’s, it is written with the same energetic and positive spirit which characterizes his other music.