Eric Ewazen

Grand Canyon Octet

This work for horn octet is a programmatic work in three movements depicting the awe-inspiring wonder one experiences when viewing the Grand Canyon at different hours of the day. Movements: 1. Midday (when bright sunlight and deep blue skies frame the rocky grandeur of the canyon; the music is uplifting, jagged, and rousing), 2. Twilight (just after sunset, when shadows and shades of gray fill the space with supreme quiet and mystery; the music is solemn, introspective, gentle and sad), 3. Dawn (opens serenely and cautiously, quickly becoming joyful, energetic and heroic.) Commissioned by and is gratefully dedicated to Thomas Bacon and the Arizona State University Horns.