Title: Pilgrimage and Reunion
Scoring: Written for tuba quartet (2 euphoniums, 2 tubas)
Commission/Dedication: Written for the “Beautiful Souls” Tuba Quartet
Premiere: Details unknown
Composer: Barbara York
Publisher: Cimarron Music Press
Year: 2014
Program notes from the composer:
None.
Author assessment and pedagogical considerations:
“Pilgrimage and Reunion” is a short tuba quartet packed with loads of character. From conversations and coaching’s with York, the story goes like this:
The beginning of the piece is a longing and remembrance of the fond times and feelings four friends have for one another, as they journey to reunite as a group. The pivot chord 2 measures before letter ‘B’ anticipate the feelings just before they are all reunited and they burst out into conversation at letter ‘B’ as if they’ve never left one another.
In this section, there are musical jokes alluding to laughter in the top 3 voices in a descending, chromatic pattern. As this section progresses, and the beverages are flowing the lowest voice, tuba 2, has a moment of bodily eructation (the flutter tongued note), and without skipping a beat or being fazed, the conversation picks right back up.
As the night progresses and slows, things get quite and less active. Letter ‘F’ is in a blues style, representative of blues club. The solo is placed in the second euphonium, with interludes from euphonium 1. The tuba 1 part supports inner harmony, and the tuba 2 acts as the bass.
Letter ‘H’ resumes the conversational material seen at letter ‘B.’ This could be a resurgence on the way home, but most likely the next morning at breakfast, talking about all of the things they experienced the night before. In true fashion and keeping character, tuba 2 hangs over 1 beat past the group with a loud blat, just for good measure!
In considering performance, this piece is highly accessible to young tuba quartets, and when given the story behind the piece, can easily identify with it. The largest challenge will come from the blues section, as euphoniums rarely play in that style.
Recordings:
