Journey (2020)

First performance
4 May 2023
Jacqueline Leclair, oboe
Ekkozone and Esbjerg; Mathias Reumert, conductor
Offbeat Music Festival
Koncertkirken
Copenhagen, Denmark

Commissioned by and dedicated to Jacqueline Leclair

Composer note
Journey involves the intermingling of two extended melodic lines, one of which begins the work, and the other of which concludes it. Discussions with the commissioning oboist Jacqueline Leclair led to a detailed and systematic exploration of the normative 47-tone range of her instrument. Our aim was to identify the number of fingerings and other non-standard excitation strategies that could be reliably used over the instrument's entire compass. As expected, the range of options available varied widely, and settling on primary, secondary, and tertiary pith groups followed.

An initial line (O) was drafted and then optimized. An alternative version (M) followed and was similarly optimized collaboratively as a metaphoric "mirror" of the first. These were conceived, respectively as materials that would begin the work,"O," and also end it, "M."

The two linear forms elicit various imagined "environments" to be manifested by the accompanying chamber orchestra, and through which the soloist passes, either alone or with a companion or more. As one of the dictionary definitions of "journey" involves the value of "a day's work or travel," a 6-note chord relentlessly repeats every 45 seconds (though in markedly different instantiations) throughout the central, accompanied portion of the concerto, marking the stages of the journey.

The soloist has a repertoire of multi-phonics that reference the organization of the basic pitch sructure of the Work, and they are both incorporated into the recurring melodic lines (both O and M forms) while arousing, occasionally, imitative sonorities from theorchestra. So, while the soloist, alone or in duo, trio, or quartet guise, constantly encounters new sonic environmernts and characters (courtesy of the chamber orchesra) their evolving melodic and rhythmic essence is the thread that binds the various episodes making up their cormmunal Journey.

— Roger Reynolds (Del Mar, March, 2023)