Desidertat Diss 041214.
36
Desiderata for Cello, Timpani, Harp and String Orchestra by Michael-Thomas Alexander Foumai A composition submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts (Music: Composition) in the University of Michigan 2014 Doctoral Committee: Professor Bright Sheng, Chair Professor John Whittier-Ferguson Associate Professor Mark Clague Associate Professor Wayne Petty Associate Professor Erik Santos
Transcript of Desidertat Diss 041214.
Desiderata for Cello, Timpani, Harp and String Orchestra
by
Michael-Thomas Alexander Foumai
A composition submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Musical Arts (Music: Composition)
in the University of Michigan 2014
Doctoral Committee: Professor Bright Sheng, Chair Professor John Whittier-Ferguson Associate Professor Mark Clague Associate Professor Wayne Petty Associate Professor Erik Santos
© Michael-Thomas Alexander Foumai 2014
ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank the faculty at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and
Dance with whom I have been privileged to work, including Bright Sheng, Michael Daugherty, Erik
Santos, Paul Schoenfeld, Evan Chambers, Kristin Kuster, Mark Clague, Christopher Lees, Karen
Fournier, Ramon Satyendra, Wayne Petty and Judith Petty.
I am also profoundly grateful to my family, friends, colleagues and mentors who have inspired,
challenged, encouraged and supported me throughout my studies, including Elim Chan, Roger Zare,
Paul Dooley, David Biedenbender, Bret Bohman, Patrick Harlin, Evan Ware, Ming-Hsiu Yen, Ching-
Mei Lin, Hyukjin Shin, Jeremy Crosmer, Jarita Ng, Daniel Poceta, Yaniv Segal, Thomas Osborne,
Donald Reid Womack, Sydney Hodkinson, Daniel Mew, Craig Young and Henry Miyamura.
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Instrumentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Desiderata for Cello, Timpani, Harp and String Orchestra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
iv
ABSTRACT
Desiderata is a composition written for chamber orchestra with an instrumentation of solo cello, timpani, harp
and strings. The piece is twenty minutes in duration and was premiered April 6, 2014 at the University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, performed by cellist Daniel Poceta and conducted by Elim Chan.
The music of Desiderata expresses the soul-searching journey for purpose and tranquility that is often the
subject of religious homily. The title is taken from the poem Desiderata (1927) by American poet Max Ehrmann
and refers to things desired for happiness. The inspiration behind the work comes from the poem’s didactic and
devotional principles that confront personal and interpersonal struggle. Desiderata is a musical representation of
the poem, using directional harmonic relationships to express challenges in life and a recurring developing motif
to symbolize positive affirmations that can lead towards harmony.
There is one primary musical motif, a four-note arc consisting of an ascending and descending contour that
signify musical sighs and desires. The figure begins the piece, which is consistently repeated in the solo and
orchestral music representing the poem’s constant reminder to remain positive. After an extensive rumination in
the opening cadenza, the solo cello weaves the figure as a head motif to different strands of melodic material that
progress from the lyrical, assertive, anxious to serene qualities. A brief cadenza (m.163) in rapturous energy
leads into an extended orchestral interlude reprising transformed materials heard earlier.
The harmonic progression is directional to reflect a transcendent journey filled with challenges. The orchestral
music is rooted in B-Aeolian (m.2) as a modal key area and journeys through pitch centers of D (m.37), G
(m.64) to C (m.164). The initial B area and Bb of the opening cadenza gradually hint towards upward resolution
to C (m.164, 215, 236) to signify an optimistic trajectory with the high point of the orchestral interlude centered
on the dominant G (m.193). The piece concludes ambiguously on the dominant sonority in C (m.257), with a
swaying motion between Cb and Bb in the violas symbolizing the freedom to choose a pursuit of happiness.
v
INSTRUMENTATION Timpani Harp Solo Cello Violin I Violin II Viola Cello Bass (Minimum String Count: 5.5.4.4.2)
Duration: ca. 20:00
Andante - senza misura, q=96
Desiderata
MICHAEL-THOMAS ALEXANDER FOUMAI
for Cello, Timpani, Harp and String Orchestra
© Michael-Thomas Alexander Foumai 2014
Harp
Timpani
Solo Cello
Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Violoncello
Double Bass
Solo Vc.
Solo Vc.
Solo Vc.
ff
sfp
sfp fp
f
pf p
sub.sf
sf
sf
sf
sul C
sfp
mf f mp sub. p
f
ff sffp
(fast trill)
fp
mf
p mf p
mf p
lunga
1
Solo Vc.
Solo Vc.
Solo Vc.
Solo Vc.
Solo Vc.
Solo Vc.
p
with increasing intensity...
mp
p mf p
mf p
mf p cresc.
with more urgency...
sempre ff
sfz
pushing forward...
sfz sfz
p sotto voce
sub. ff
p dolce
f mf f p sub. f
2
2
2 q=76poco rit.
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
8accel. 11 Più mosso h=52 (q=104)
Hp.
Timp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
LMMOMNMM
p
mf
mf
p
p
con sord.
mf
con sord.
p mf
p
con sord.
mf
MNMOMNMM
gliss. mf
mf
p f
mf
mf cresc. f3
più f
6
63
p p mf p
p p mf
p
p p mf p
p
con sord.
mf p
pizz.
p f
3
14
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
20
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
p
ff3
mf
p
mf p f
mf p f
mf p f mf
arco
mf f mf
f
f più f p
più f p
più f p mp p mp
f più f p mp p mp
4
2526
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
29
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
LMMOLMLL
mf Fb
3
f
3
3
più f
p f sub.pp mf
p
p mf mp
p f sub.p fp
f sub.p fp
3 3
mf
F§
3
3
3
3
p
mf
mf p
3 3
mf mf
mf p
3 3
mf
mf p mf f p
p mf pmf f p
5
3637
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
41
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
MMMOMNMM
mf
p
p tenderly
sul tasto
p
mf
ord.
pp mf
p
pp
mp p
sim.
mf
pp
pizz.
mf
arco
p mp
sim.
pp
pp
p mp pp
Bb F§
mf p
p
fp
fp
f
fp
fp
3 3
mf
div. a3
p
arcounis.
mf
3
p
div.
mf p
pizz.unis.
p mf
3
3
sul tastounis.
pp mp pp mp p mf
5 5 5
pizz.
mf p mf
arco
p mf3 3
pizz.
mf
6
45
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
4949
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
66
6
6
6
mp mf
fpiù f
3 5
3
p
mf3
arco
p
3
mf
p mf
3
p mf
3
mf
f
3 3
ff
3
più ff
6
3
ff marcato fp ff marcato fp
ff marcato
ff marcato
ff marcato fp ff marcato fp
ff marcato fp ff marcato fp
arco
ff marcato fp ff marcato fp
7
53
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
5656
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
mf
f5
sul tasto
pp
pp mf
pizz.
f
sul tasto
pp
sul tasto
pp
ord.pizz.
f
p mp
F#
p mp
E#
mf
warmly
f 3ff
3
ord.
p
p
p
ord.
p mp p mp p mp p mp mf
arcodiv.
pp
mf
arco
ppmf
8
61
poco rit. 64 L'istesso tempo, h=52
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
67
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
leggiero
f p
p3
f
arco
p
p
3
f pp
div.
mf
p
pizz.unis.
mf
f p p
mf
pmf
unis.pizz.
f pp mf p
pizz.
mf
MMMOMNMM
mf
f
f
3
mf
ff�
mf p
sul tasto
pp
div.
mf p
sul tasto
pp
div.
sul tastoarco
p
9
74
75
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
78 poco rit.
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
NMMOMNMM
mf f
gliss.
MNMOMNNM
p
mf
cresc.
mf
p
mf
p
unis.
pp
mf ppp cresc.
mf
C§
f
più ff mf dolce
ord.
fp
ord.
f p
pp
arco
f
pizz.
p
div.
pp
arco
f p
pizz.
10
82 Meno mosso q=9882
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
86
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
MNMOMMMM
pp
p mf f3 sf
3 3 6
pp
senza sord.
pp
pp
senza sord.arco
pp
senza sord.
pp
arco
unis.
senza sord.
pp
arco
mf
3
fp mf p mf f
fp mf p mf f
fp mf p mf f
fp
pizz.
mf p mf f
arco
11
90
92 Più mosso q=104
Hp.
Timp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
93
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
MNMOMNNM
gliss.
p f
f
sff3 3
unis.senza sord.ord.
p f marcato3
p mf f marcato
3
p mf f marcato
p mf
arco
f marcato
p mf f marcato
arco
ff marcato più f
mf
pizz.
pizz.
mf
pizz.
mf
mf
pizz.
f mf
mf
pizz.
f mf
12
9799
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
101
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
MMLOLMML
pp p
MLMOMNLM
f legato
arco
f p mp p
sim.
arco
f p
pizz.div.
arco
f p
div.pizz.
arco
f
3
p
arco
f
3
p
pizz.
p
3 3
3 3 3 3
mf
(unis.) div.
unis.
p
unis.
pizz.
p
13
105109
Hp.
Timp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
110
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
ff
ff3 3
mp p
sim.
f marcato
f marcato
arco
arco
p mf
pizz.
p
arco
f
arco
f marcato
p
pizz.
f marcato
arco
MMMOLMLM
f
f
più f
marcato
14
114
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
119 poco rit.
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
G#
mf
Fb Db
poco f
3
sfz 3 sfz
3 3
mf
pizz.3
p fmf
arco 3
mf
pizz.3 3 arco
p
div.
f p
unis.
f
3
mf
pizz.3 3 3
p
arco
fp
div.
f
unis.
mf p
pizz. arco
mf3
mf p
pizz.
mf
G§
f
MMMOMNMM
p mf
f
3
pizz. arcoarco
mf p
mfff
div.
p
f
unis.
mf pp mf
pizz.
p
arco
f
3 3
mf p mf
pizz.
p
arco
f
p mf p mf
pizz.
p
arco
arco
mf p
pizz.arco
15
125 q=96125
Timp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
128
Hp.
Timp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
ff
ff
f
f
f
f
f
LMLOLLML
gliss.
mf
MLMOLMLL
sf
p f
p f
f
sf
p fsfz
pizz.
mf
p f
pizz.
sfz
arco
mf
sfz
sfz
16
132 135
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
136
Hp.
Timp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
MNMOLMLL
f mf
ff f
3 3
sfz
arco
sfzf fp
sfz sfz sfz p fp
sfz sfz sfz p fp
sfz sfz sfz fpmf
pizz. arco
fp
sfz sfz sfz fpmf
pizz.
fp
arco
G§ A§
f
ff
ff
sfz
p mf p f
fp fp
fp fp
fp fp
fp fp
17
139
Hp.
Timp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
143
Hp.
Timp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
MLMOLMNM
f
più ff
3
3
f fpsfz p
0 0 0
sfz p
0 0 0
f fpsfz sfz
f fpsfz sfz
fp fp ff sfz sfz
fp fp ff sfz sfz
f
gliss.
ff
ff sfz p
0 0 0
sfz ff
ff sfz sfz
ff sfz sfz
ff sfz sfz
sfzsfz
18
146
146
Hp.
Timp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
149
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
ff
MNMOLLLN
f
fff ff
sffz p f
sffzp f
sffz
pizz.
mf
sffzf ffp
sffzf ffp
LMLOLLML
f
ff
f fff
mf f
mf f f
mf
arco
f mf f
f ffp f
3
f ffp f
3
19
153
Hp.
Timp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
156Tempo rubato
Hp.
Timp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
mf
E§ F# A§ B§
3 3 3
f
gliss.
f f
3
ff ffp
3
f
3 3
fp fpiù f
arco
ffp fp f
pizz.
mf
3 3 3arco
f più f
sf f f sf
3
3
sf f f sf
3
3
LLLOMMMM
f
f
7 7
f
f
f
3
3
3
fp fp ffp
più f
più f
più f ffp
pizz.
fp
più f ffp fp
20
160
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
senza misura163
Solo Vc.
Solo Vc.
LMLOLMML
mf
3
3
ffpiù ff
33 3
3 3
p3 f
3
pf
6
p f
3
arco
p f3
mf
pizz.
molto
21
164 q=96164
Hp.
Timp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
169172
Hp.
Timp.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
MMLOLMML
gliss
.
LMLOLMLL
ff
f
ff
p ff
ff più ff
loco
fp fp
ff
div.
più ff
fp
loco
fp
ff più ff fp fp
arco
ff più ff
arco
ff più ff
LMLOLMLL
ff
gliss.
p ff mf ff
fp fp ff fp fp fp fp ff f
fp fp fffp fp fp fp ff f
unis. (non dbl.)
fp fp ff fp fp fp fp ff f
f
f
22
173
Hp.
Timp.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
177
Hp.
Timp.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
MNLOMMMM
gliss.
gliss.
f ff
f 3 3
ff
ff
ff
(non dbl.)
ff
ff
MMLOMMMM
gliss.
ff
fp
sff fp sff fp sff
ffpffp sff
sff fp sff fp sff
ffp ffp sff
sff sff sff
23
181 q=104 (h=52)
181
Hp.
Timp.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
186
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
MNMOMNNM
più ffgl
iss.
ff p ff
3
3
più ff
più ff
più ff
più ff
più ff
mf mf p cresc.
mf p cresc.
mf mf f sub. p
mf mf f sub. p
mf mf f sub. p
24
191
rit. 193 Maestoso, q=84
Hp.
Timp.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
194
Hp.
Timp.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
MNMOMNMM
fff
gliss.
pfff
ff
ff
ff
mf cresc. ff
mf cresc. ff
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
fff
(non trem.)
fff
(non trem.)
div.
fff3
3
3
fff3 3
fff
3
25
197
Hp.
Timp.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
201rit.
Hp.
Timp.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
f
MNMOMLNLgliss.
3
ff
MMMOMNMM
gliss.
f ff f
ffp ff ff fp ff fp ff
loco
fffp ff fff
fffp ff fff
unis.
fffp
div.
ff fff
fffp
div.
ff fff
fffp ff fff
ff
f
MNMOMLLL
ff p ff
più fff
loco
f
più fff
più fff
div. unis.
più fff
div.
più fff
26
205 Lento, q=68205
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
210poco rit. 215 Adagio, q=60
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
espress.
mf p pp
mf p pp
mf
mf
unis.
p pp
mf p pp
MLMOMNMM p
p dolce
ppp
non vib.
pp
non vib.
pp
pp mf pp p pp
non vib.
pp
pp
non vib.
non vib.
pp
27
217 poco rit.
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
L'istesso tempo, q=60225
Hp.
Solo Vc.
231poco rit.
Hp.
Solo Vc.
3 3
pp
F§
p
pp legato
F§ Gb
3
F#
3
3
28
236 L'istesso tempo q=60236
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
243
rit. 246 Lento, q=76
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Db.
dim.
con sord.div.
pp
con sord.ord.
pp
con sord.
pp
div.
pp
MMLOLMMM
sempre p gliss.
pp
f
div.con sord.
pp
div.
29
251
Hp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
257257
Hp.
Timp.
Solo Vc.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
dim. ppp
dim. p
ppp
ppp
ppp
ppp
ppp
ppp
mp
p pp
p
ppp
p
unis.senza sord.
ppp p ppp
( )
p ppp
senza sord.non div.
p ppp p ppp
( )
p ppp
unis.senza sord.
p ppp p ppp
( )
p ppp
senza sord.
p ppp p ppp
( )
p ppp
unis.
p ppp p ppp
( )
Honolulu, HI; New York, NY; Ann Arbor, MIJan-April 2014
p ppp
30
