Tango Variations (2009)

Dedicated to Director of Bands at the University of Michigan, Michael Haithcock. Performed by the University of Michigan Symphony Band conducted by same on October 23, 2010 in Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Program note:

Once inspiration struck (in summer 2009 after watching a children's movie) to write a work for large band inspired by tango, I began listening to the oldest recorded tangos so that my mind would not be muddied by the ubiquitous "new tango" of the Astor Piazolla renaissance of the 1990's. No slight against the great Piazolla, but I wanted to explore the roots of his form to determine which stereotypes I had come to know were merited and which ones were not. What I learned is that tango has never followed any rules of form, and the only universal seems to be (after the importance of inspiring and accompanying a sexual dance, of course) a 4/4 time signature and an abiding favoritism for the minor mode. Yet, the opening falling chromatic opening salvo of my Tango Variations (of which there are six variations on an original theme), and the intense upper-lower-chromatic neighbor figure that permeates my original theme are nods to things I heard in multiple listenings to such greats of the 1930's as Pugliese (who emerged my favorite), Troilo, and Donato among others. Otherwise, I have composed a free-for-all. I will reveal that an early idea to meld it with the music of Robert Schumann's "Vogel als Prophet" for solo piano into a Tango Prophetico has left the musical landscape dotted with progressions and figures from this Romantic chestnut, but otherwise this is an abstract work, as titled.

This score gives the option to use a Bandoneon or Accordion, an instrument that seems to be a potential treasure in the wind band milieu. The premiere recording heard at this page does not use this instrument. However, the first commercial recording, made by the North Texas Wind Symphony under the direction of Eugene Migliaro Corporon, does. It is also available at iTunes and Amazon mp3.

Duration: 9:00

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Copyright © by Edward B. Marks Music Company. All Rights Reserved. BMI. Recording by kind permission of the University of Michigan.

INSTRUMENTATION:

Piccolos (2)
Flutes (4)
Oboes (2)
English Horn (1)
Eb Clarinet (1)
Bb Clarinets (6+)
Bb Bass Clarinets (1)
Bb Contrabass Clarinet (1) [Bass Saxophone may be substituted]
Bassoons (4)
Contrabassoon (1)
Eb Alto Saxophones (3-4) [1. doubles Soprano Sax]
Bb Tenor Saxophone (1)
Eb Baritone Saxophone (1)

Bandoneon or Accordion solo (optional)

Horns (4) [up to 8 preferred]
Bb Trumpets (6)
Trombones (4)
Bass Trombone (1)
Euphoniums (2)
Tubas (2)

Timpani

Percussion (note: most duplicate instruments may be shared in the section)

Percussion 1: glockenspiel, triangle, xylophone, shaker, chimes
Percussion 2: vibraphone, china cymbal, xylophone, chimes
Percussion 3: marimba, splash cymbal, chimes, guiro
Percussion 4: 4 tom-toms (2 may be timbales), snare drum, medium suspended cymbal, chimes, vibra-slap, crash cymbals, triangle
Percussion 5: guiro, low suspended cymbal, vibra-slap, tambourine, woodblock, tuned gong (middle C), 5 temple blocks, triangle, chimes, tam-tam
Percussion 6: bass drum, slapstick, tam-tam, crash symbals, high suspended cymbal, woodblock

Piano
Harp
Contrabass