81F5A603-310E-48CE-A1B1-9C4297F556B6

Update Delete

ID81F5A603-310E-48CE-A1B1-9C4297F556B6
TitlecodeX065031
Title NameTrenton Quintet for Flute, Clarinet and Piano Trio
Marketing CopyThe work for Pierrot Ensemble (Flute, Clarinet in Bb, Violin, Cello and Piano) is based on the musical material for the composer's comic opera "The Trenton Connection" (libretto by Anna Winslow). The opera is a fictional story spun around the Battle of Trenton of 1777 during the American Revolutionary War. Much of the musical language of the quintet (and the opera) is derived from early American music. Movements: I. Overture (Billings Fantasy)- setting the opening mood and historical context, the music is based on a hymn tune (PARIS) by the early American composer William Billings (1746-1800)- taken from his 1777 collection, "The New-England Psalm-Singer". II. Burgundy's Ode- takes its inspiration and material from one of the opera's significant characthers, the French poet Burgundy. III. Washington's Victory- is based on the material from the end of the opera: the Christmas Day celebration on Washington's victory at Trenton, with the popular Revolutionary War song "Yankee Doogle" used throughout. Written for and is dedicated to the AUROS Group for New Music.
Instrumentation"Pierrot Ensemble": Flute, B-flat Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano
Commission(not set)
DedicationWritten for and is dedicated to the AUROS Group for New Music.
Program NotesTrenton Quintet (2001) was written for and is dedicated to the AUROS Group for New Music.

The work is based on the musical material for the composer's forthcoming comic opera The Trenton Connection (libretto by Anna Winslow). The opera is a fictional story spun around the Battle of Trenton of 1777 during the American Revolutionary War. Much of the musical language of the quintet (and the opera) is derived form early American music.

The opening movement, "Overture (Billings Fantasy)," sets the opening mood and historical context of the opera. The music is based on a hymn tune (Paris) by the early American composer William Billings (1746-1800) -- taken from his 1777 collection, The New-England Psalm-Singer. Two slow sections frame a faster one. The unique character of Billings' harmonizations (which abound in parallel fifths and octaves, unusual doublings, and movement from modal to diatonic languages) is explored throughout this movement.

The second movement, "Burgundy's Ode," takes its inspiration and material from one of the opera's significant characters, the French poet Burgundy. The movement is built around an ostinato of descending thirds (and a second). The harmonic area and tonality shifts throughout with the ostinato's relationship to the rest of the texture continually changing.

The final movement, "Washington's Victory," is based on the material from the end of the opera: the Christmas Day celebration of Washington's victory at Trenton. The popular Revolutionary War song Yankee Doodle is used throughout. This song was originally concocted by the British to mock the American patriots. However, the Americans "appropriated" the song for themselves and wrote new lyrics which were used to rousing effect. --Carson Cooman
Title Brand2
Year Composed2001
Copyright Number(not set)
Copyright Year(not set)
Duration8
Ensemble Size5
Date Created2008-10-31 20:33:17.000000
Date Updated2025-09-30 20:33:17
Inhouse Note(not set)
Bsc Code(not set)
Text Author(not set)
Premier Performance Memo(not set)
Recording Credits(not set)
Review(not set)
Awards(not set)
Title Category2
Title MovementsI. Overture (Billings Fantasy)
II. Burgundy's Ode
III. Washington's Victory
Title Grade(not set)
Set Series ID(not set)
Title Instrument Category TextQuintet
Title Sub Category Text(not set)
Title Sub Category-1
Title Instrument Header20
Title Grade Text(not set)
Clean Urltrenton-quintet-for-flute-clarinet-and-piano-trio-x065031