Music for Twelve (1985)

The 85-year-old American composer wrote this score in 1985 partly in homage to his teacher, Arnold Schoenberg... The 12 players - strings, winds, brasses, piano (doubling on celesta) - are participants in a narrative that travels elusive and tender routes. Kirchner treats each instrument as a soloist, while maintaining a conversational sharing of lines. Yearning phrases rub shoulders with spiky gestures, and a constant shifting of textures and colors keep the ear along for the ride...