Choctaw Nights: Jupiter
George QuincyPiece Duration: 06:07
About this Piece
Program Note: “When I was a boy in Oklahoma, the nights were magical, the stars incredibly bright. I used to lie in the grass and wonder. Jupiter was so bright, it invited all kinds of images. It surely was inhabited, I thought. I used to mix up myths of the West (Greece) with those of the Choctaw which surrounded me.” - George Quincy
Ensemble: Flute, Bassoon, Violin, Viola, and Piano
Texture: Through much of this movement from Choctaw Nights, listeners can hear a clear demonstration of an accompaniment pattern in the piano that serves to support melodic lines in other instrumental parts.
Notable Passages
Description:
Contrary and Oblique Motion: In the opening of the piece, the pitch C is repeated over a descending line of C, B♭, A♭, G, F, E, E♭, D♭, C. This is a great example of oblique motion!
Following this passage, the musical parts move in contrary, or opposite directions:
-Down: C, B♭, A♭, G, F, E, E♭, D♭, C
-Up: C, D♭, E♭, E, F, G, A♭, B♭, C
Keywords: Contrary Motion , Conjunct Motion - Counterpoint , Counterpoint - Misc. , Oblique Motion
Description:
Here, the composer uses a three-note musical idea! The pitches are D, E, F.
This musical idea is imitated in different instrumental parts, occasionally changing to D, E♭, F!
- Play the three note musical idea on classroom instruments
- Listen for the idea in this Notable Passage, and even play along!
Keywords: Conjunct Motion - Melody , Imitation - Composition Technique , Imitation - Melody
Description:
Sequence: A little musical idea wobbles back and forth, here! Moving by whole step or half step, the idea descends in a sequence, moving from D#-E4, down to A♭3!
Keywords: Conjunct Motion - Melody , Sequence - Composition Technique
Description:
Suspenseful glissandos are heard in the strings, and atmospheric sounds are heard from the flute!
Later, descending glissandos are heard in the bassoon, with notes in the extreme low end of the piano! This section spans a massive musical range from start to finish!
Keywords: Glissando , Range - Composition Technique