Amiens (2005)

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Amiens is a sometimes joyous, sometimes regal, and sometimes aggressive fanfare for brass ensemble. The work is a simple three-part form with all melodic material derived from a single motive. After a bright trumpet introduction, the horns serve as the primary melodic voice while the tubas provide rhythmic vitality in this energitic 6/8 fanfare. Harmonically, the work is essentially triadic with a dichotomy of keys, punctuated by stacked major triads at major cadence points. Although not programmatic, the work is titled after Amiens, one of the French cities that experienced the devastation of the Western Front during World War I, nearly 100 years ago..