5 min.

19 Febrary 2004
Saratoga Springs, NY
Albany Symphony Orchestra / David Alan Miller, conductor

2(2=picc).2.2.2--2.2.0.0--timp.tgl--strings

Commissioned by the Albany Symphony Orchestra

I am a sucker for major sixth — hence, my attraction to the spiritual, Nobody Knows de Trouble I've Seen, with its characteristic falling-sixth interval. Rather than produce a simple orchestration of the lovely and traditional harmonization, I have built the melody into a full baritone aria, with freely-composed interludes as well as a key-changing developmental section. At the very end, I quote a melody of my own (from Final Alice) that features, not surprisingly, another sixth — now, however, rising.

David Del Tredici's "Fantasy on 'Nobody Knows'" was akin to an aria in its dramatic vocal heights. Yet it also overflowed with musical ideas which were given a colorful and transparent orchestration.