Abstract
Three Reflections on Mount Diablo is a large work for wind ensemble, and comprises three movements: Ancient Vistas, March of the Tarantulas, and Wind Caves. The work is inspired by mountain lore and folklore that I learned of while hiking the mountain’s trails and reading literature published by the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, which is in partnership with the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Each movement illustrates an interesting characteristic of Mount Diablo. Ancient Vistas is inspired by the fact that on a clear day, from the summit, one can see more than two hundred miles in all directions, spreading across thirty-five counties of northern and central California. March of the Tarantulas highlights the annual mating season of tarantulas that appear on the mountain and hiking trails at sunset during the months of October and November. Wind Caves captures the ambiance of sand stone formations found in a location on the mount named Rock City. In chapter three, I will present an analysis of two musical aspects of each movement. I will focus on chant and borrowed techniques in Movement I, motives and meter in Movement II, and harmony and orchestration in Movement III.