Sketches from Pinehurst (2005)
25 minutes
(*3-*3-2-2) (4-3-3-1) (tmp.+3 perc.) Stgs.
Commissioned by the N.C. Symphony to honor the Village of Pinehurst and its
builder and founder, James Walker Tufts; also to commemorate the U.S. Open
golf tournament held at Pinehurst in 2005.
First performance, April 2005 in Southern Pines, N.C., Grant Llewellyn
conducting. Sketches from Pinehurst has been recorded by the North
Carolina Symphony and Grant Llewellyn, and is available on CD.
James Walker Tufts, native of Boston, had already made his fortune with the
invention of the soda fountain. Looking for a warmer climate to spend the
winter and restore his health, he purchased 600 acres of desolate land in
the Sandhills of North Carolina. This land, once dense with long leaf pines,
was then nearly devoid of trees, the result of unrestricted logging. In the
course of several decades, Tufts changed that barren wasteland into a world
class golf resort and retirement community.
This piece is both specific and universal in nature; specific in that it
depicts the dreams and accomplishments of Tufts; universal in that it
strives to honor all people who have dreams, and who against great odds,
take risks to change what they have into something better for the benefit of
many others.
I. The Dream: (duration 4')
A quiet and mysterious movement depicting the early morning fog that often
envelops this area. A solo horn call breaks through the mist, followed by a
wide arching melody in strings and woodwinds that is found in different
guises throughout the work. The horn call is hard again, softer, retreating
into the mist.
II. Building the Community (6', 30")
This lively energetic and colorful movement is a musical early 20th century
newsreel (with fast moving people and equipment), showing in 6 minutes what
it took several decades to accomplish. It is non-stop, and very melodic. It
was intended (as part of the commission), to be played separately. The N. C.
Symphony played this movement 8 times on its 2005 summer outdoor concert
tour throughout N.C.
III. Intermezzo: The Golden Years: (4' 45")
Pinehurst has a very large retirement community, and this movement reflects
several conflicting emotions: the sadness and melancholy of leaving one's
home and friends to relocate to Pinehurst; the warmth and peace of the area;
the recollection and satisfaction of a successful career; and finally the
sadness of the passing away of friends, old and new.
IV. Rumble on the Back Nine: (2' 30")
Another part of the commission was to musically recognize the part that the
game of golf has played in the heritage of Pinehurst. A musician friend
related to me that to him, the game of golf is akin to playing a musical
instrument. Both require refined skills, but also intense concentration and
mental relaxation. This movement is a scherzo (without the customary trio
and da capo). The underlying rhythm is constant and unrelenting, and since
golf originated in Scotland, the theme is Scottish in nature.
V. Lament and Finale
The 1999 U.S. Open was also held in Pinehurst. Payne Stewart won that
tournament with a nerve-wracking putt on the final hole. Several weeks
later, his life was cut tragically short when he was killed in a plane
crash. This movement is a tribute to all those great and small, who have
passed away, whether living full lives or shortened ones. This lament
reflects the idea that people are remembered for their lives,
accomplishments, and for the manner in which they have treated family and
friends. The sadness eventually gives way to contentment and triumph, as
music from the 1st movement is brought back in a full symphonic statement.
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