Last Voyage of the Currituck (2006)
15 minutes

 (*3-*3-2-2) (4-3-3-1) (timp.+4) Stgs.
virtuosic violin solo in mvt. V

Commissioned by the N.C. Symphony for the Pepsi America's Sail at Beaufort N.C., June 2006.
Premiere at this "Tall Ships" Festival, June 2006 by the NC Symphony, with Grant Llewellyn conducting.

The piece is a symphonic odyssey describing the final ill fated voyage of a fictitious 19th century brigantine "Currituck" (Aloquin for "land of the wild goose"; also a county in North East N. Carolina).
It is in 6 continuous and connected sections.

I. Introduction: Secure the Cargo; Check the Rigging: A fanfare-like section for brass and percussion depicting the sounds and activity at the port as the Currituck is being loaded in Boston Harbor for her trip to the West Indies. The four note motif played by the horns at the onset, is a musical thread that unites the piece.

II. Heading Out to Sea: An energetic 12/8 section that pictures the Currituck heading out to open sea.
This nautical mini overture was inspired by the opening credit scenes from the swashbuckling movies of the 1950's.

III. Sailor's Fare: Rum and Hardtack: A sailor's drinking song; rustic, tuneful and full of energy.

IV. Thoughts of Home and Loved Ones: There is a lot of down time and boredom on many voyages.

V. The Bermuda Triangle:  The Devil's Apparition and Dance: As the "Currituck" sails into the Bermuda Triangle, a mysterious fog envelopes the ship. Instruments malfunction, confusion reigns, and the crew becomes disoriented. The Devil appears (as solo violin) and begins his intoxicating dance. The section is a large verse and refrain over a descending ground bass. The verse is a solo violin concerto grosso in an Italian Baroque style while the refrain is a quasi rock brass rift. The music begins softly and becomes an ever growing crescendo culminating in the swirling demise of the "Currituck".

VI. Epilogue:  Although the "Currituck" has vanished, the ship and her brave crew live on in the folklore of sailors everywhere. Music from section II is reintroduced in a somber and reflective and intimately triumphant reprise.