Jean-François Michel

Far West

Far West, by Swiss composer Jean-François Michel is a fun and entertaining piece designed in the popular style of what is today referred to as 'country and western music.' Three distinct parts follow one another:
> A slow introduction depicts the arid landscapes of the American West and then launches into a horse riding, traveling music, theme.
> The arrival in a peaceful village where some pioneers of the Conquest of the West are meeting.
> The finale is a joyful 'country' quadrille that makes members of the pioneer’s community dance.
Far West is written for variable wind instruments, brass only or mixed with woodwinds, and 3 drums — a) timpani, b) bass drum, snare drum and small percussion — and c) an ad lib. fourth part for melodic percussion (glockenspiel and xylophone). These parts can be specified according to availability.
The thematic voices are in parts 1 and 2 of trumpets/cornets, and clarinets.
The bass voices are distributed to the usual instruments.
The accompanying voices are doubled (not necessarily with identical instruments) to enrich the sound and harmonic colors, also depending on availability.
The less common instruments are optional.
Far West is easily accessible to youth groups.

The commission of this work was supported by the SUISA Foundation.