Four Preludes on Playthings of the Wind (2016)

…a compelling setting of a text by one of America’s greatest poets…

In many ways the piece is an overview of the musical influences that have informed Tilson Thomas’ life and musical career. He cited Sarah Vaughan, Leontyne Price, James Brown and Igor Stravinsky as inspirations. The aura of Gershwin is also strongly present. A moody, ominous bass clarinet solo opening suggests that American master, and the thematic material in the prelude pervades the entire score in multiple complex transformations. Tilson Thomas manages to keep the work’s changing musical landscape from becoming jarring. The wedding of art song, bebop and spiky modernism is achieved with assurance and a strong sense of dramatic momentum. The entire score celebrates indigenous American musical styles without copying Copland or his circle.