Staircase Variations
for wind quintet
YEAR DURATION SCORE
2023 10:30 View

​RECORDING
MIDI File
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INSTRUMENTATION
Flute
Oboe
Bb Clarinet
Horn in F
​Bassoon

​PROGRAM NOTES
​Staircase Variations is a theme and variations written to showcase each instrument in the quintet. After the initial theme, each variation features one of the players as its primary focus, moving through the quintet from the lowest voice (bassoon) to the highest (flute & piccolo). Each variation is also a step lower than its previous one, thus allowing for the music itself to descend as it ascends through the instrumentation.

The initial THEME (moderato) is a consistent ostinato that passes through every instrument, allowing each player to get a taste of the theme. The other instruments build on top of the theme but never take away from the repetitive motif.

VARIATION I (andantino) takes the theme and expands it at a slower pace. The primary voice of this variation, the bassoon, keeps this ostinato going as the oboe flies over with a simple melody that the flute eventually joins. The horn and clarinet take over this melody as the ostinato flairs up, eventually leading to a full choir of voices.

VARIATION II (lento) takes the ostinato and turns it into a melody that is primarily played by the horn. The other instruments accompany this melody by echoing what they hear, thus creating a sense of dissonance as the horn stays above.
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VARIATION III (vivace) brings the ostinato back and truncates it. While the other instruments settle in on top, the ostinato never leaves the clarinet. This allows its presence to stay constant, even as the pitch center changes halfway through the variation.

VARIATION IV (adagio) uses the first four notes of the theme to create the harmonic sequence throughout. The oboe takes the lead here and its melody keeps the contour of the original theme while also displacing it rhythmically. This movement is the most far off from the original theme and showcases the quintet’s lyrical ability.

VARIATION V (allegrissimo) is a quick-paced variation that brings an end to the piece. Its contrast from the previous movement allows for the quintet’s quick and technical ability to be heard, and brings the highest-pitched instrument of the group, the piccolo, to its presence.
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PERFORMANCES
  • October 29th, 2023 - Oxford Wind Quintet at Souers Recital Hall​