Pavane in Uncertain Times
 
S A T B
 
 
This piece attempts a satisfying musical experience that expresses an inherently unsettling emotion. I am aware of the tension between these aims, but I hope and believe that at least the first one has been achieved.

Pavanes are traditionally stately dances. Renaissance examples often repeat sections. If anyone wants to lengthen this piece by repeating sections, they are welcome to do so (except that, in that case, the end of the third section should be played without the reduction in tempo the first time through). My own judgment is that playing through the three sections of this piece (indicated by double bars) without repeats gives full expression to the musical idea it is meant to convey.
--William S. Robinson
 
 
A stately 4-part dance for SATB* with a hint of brooding solemnity. Much of the music is homophonic, with all parts moving together, ornamented with a bit of faster activity in the inner parts. Each part can be its own melody, with stepwise motion that is also singable, if one were to invent lyrics. The composer suggests legato tonguing but encourages the players to go with their own musical instincts, adding just a couple suggested breath marks for phrasing and designating the ending to be set apart from the rest by a slight break.
 
*The orchestration can be varied, not necessarily SATB — the Soprano part sits low in the range, except for one high F, so it fits nicely on an Alto reading up the octave;  The Alto part fits on Tenor, but beware of a couple high C’s; likewise, the Tenor part fits on a Bass, with one high E.
--Glen Shannon
 
 
No. of Recorder Parts:
4
Difficulty:
Easy
Occasion:
Any
Libraries:
New Music for Recorder
Date Added:
09/17/2025
Style:
Laid-back/Slow, Tonal/Melodic