Interpretations

Each of the four movements that make up Interpretations are musical representations of student art pieces at the Mount St. Charles Academy - Mask, Shrouded Figure, Popped Corn and Self Portrait. As always, Cichy does a wonderful job of using every instrument and effect at his disposal to capture the imagination of the listener.

Program Notes

Interpretations was conceived as a collaborative arts project by composer Roger Cichy for the Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. This commission was designed to encompass several of the arts by drawing on the fine arts, music, and dance within the academy. Mr. Cichy’s composition, therefore, is a musical ‘interpretation’ based on four selected student art pieces, hence the title. Following the completion of the musical ‘interpretations,’ the academy’s dance department choreographed dances based on the newly composed music. "Interpretations" was premiered by projecting the original student artwork on a large screen as the wind ensemble and dance ensembles performed the work live.

The opening movement, 'Mask,' based on a three-dimensional black and white mask, reflects the bipolar elements incorporated in its design. Here Cichy uses the brass and percussion in angular melodies, dramatic rhythms, and vertical harmonies to illustrate one aspect of the mask. A lyrical and subdued texture is created by the woodwind section along with subtle percussion to act as the opposing pole.

The indicated style for 'Shrouded Figure,' “Sinister yet mysterious,” easily describes the character of this movement. Cichy draws on several compositional techniques to enhance the mystery of the unidentified figure in the art piece.

The movement titled 'Popped Corn' depicts a single kernel of popcorn as it lies with its energy spent on the burst, now in a motionless state. The music for this movement incorporates a lazy blues style to imitate the lifeless dimensions of the still-life art piece.

'Self Portrait' (of the artist, not the composer) contains an array of colors and geometric patterns culminating in an image of a face. In this movement, Cichy’s use of irregular meters and quick tempos transposes the energy and impulse created by the artwork.

The artwork upon which this composition is based was created by the following student artists:
David Corner, Mask
Elizabeth Zeibig, Shrouded Figure
Greer Monaghan, Popped Corn
Marassa Streniste, Self Portrait

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 2005
Number of Players: Standard
Duration: 9:30
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Category: Concert Band

Listen to Recordings

Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flute 1/2
Oboe 1/2
Clarinet in Bb 1
Clarinet in Bb 2
Clarinet in Bb 3
Bb Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet in Bb 1
Trumpet in Bb 2
Trumpet in Bb 3
Horn in F 1
Horn in F 2
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trombone 3
Euphonium
(Baritone T.C.)
Tuba

Timpani
Percussion 1 (snare drum, bass drum, wood block, finger cymbals, suspended cymbal, small tom)
Percussion 2 (suspended cymbal, vibraslap, hi-hat, wind chimes, crash cymbals, concert toms (4), temple blocks (5), congas (2), tambourine, tam-tam, slap stick, bells, triangle, finger cymbals)
Percussion 3 (slap stick, chimes, vibraphone, xylophone, bells)