Solutions
Sonya Leonore Stahl
General Information
Instrumentation
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Purchase OptionsLook/ListenUniversity of Florida Symphonic Band
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Program Note
Because of my upbringing around Celtic fiddle music and Wagner's Ring cycle, my music is often highly modal, or tonal but with the key in constant motion. Many of my works feature themes of the fairytale and fantastical, and Solutions builds on those ideas: A mysterious prelude, powerful march-like sections, and a "bagpipe" chorale evoke the magic potion referenced in the title. Crafting a magic potion takes concentration – the opening solos can be considered an evocation or magic spell.
In 1998, as a high school student, I embarked on the journey of writing my first piece for symphony orchestra. One of my biggest champions and mentors was my high school orchestra director, Wendell Simmons. During my time as his student, he had encouraged my composition, even programming some of my string orchestra works – although we had to put false names on them so my peers would take them seriously!
His encouragement never wavered, even as he left for another position, and he remained a supporter for many years. In June 2022, Wendell Simmons passed away. Solutions is dedicated in tribute to a talented educator and conductor, who saw me writing music about carnivorous plants and woodpeckers and thought, “okay, there’s something there.”
I wanted to do something powerful with Solutions. I love big music, music that makes you feel feelings, music that evokes not only images but entire movies. What else do you expect from an opera conductor’s daughter?
-Sonya Leonore Stahl
In 1998, as a high school student, I embarked on the journey of writing my first piece for symphony orchestra. One of my biggest champions and mentors was my high school orchestra director, Wendell Simmons. During my time as his student, he had encouraged my composition, even programming some of my string orchestra works – although we had to put false names on them so my peers would take them seriously!
His encouragement never wavered, even as he left for another position, and he remained a supporter for many years. In June 2022, Wendell Simmons passed away. Solutions is dedicated in tribute to a talented educator and conductor, who saw me writing music about carnivorous plants and woodpeckers and thought, “okay, there’s something there.”
I wanted to do something powerful with Solutions. I love big music, music that makes you feel feelings, music that evokes not only images but entire movies. What else do you expect from an opera conductor’s daughter?
-Sonya Leonore Stahl