Dance in F Major
“Pavane”
For Trombone Quartet
About “Pavane”
“Pavane” is both a dance and a bold declaration: it demonstrates the power of hope in even the darkest of times. Inspired by the neo-romantic style of John Williams, the piece focuses on three distinct motives, or “themes.” After a brief and tonally ambiguous introduction, the first theme, representing hope in its purest form, emerges: melodically and harmonically simple, with a clear goal in mind, much like hopes and dreams.
After the entire statement of the first theme has concluded, the introductory material, now embellished, becomes the second theme, creeps back in, taking total control of the piece. This second theme symbolises obstacles whose sole intent is to crush the hope of the first theme. Nothing of the original melody remains, seemingly erased from existence.
However, once this, too, has faded away, something new springs forth: In stead of the first theme arrives the third theme, eventually blossoming into its own majestic statement, declaring that, even in the direst of circumstances, a new hope will emerge. Similar to the first theme, the third theme features multiple intertwining melodies, indicating that this reincarnation of hope, though scarred, has defeated the darkness, rather than dying to it.
The piece ends with the melody soaring away gradually until all that is left is a simple dyad, bright yet ambiguous. Hope is an ongoing process, and the kind of reborn hope stated in the third theme is difficult to define, just like the piece’s final moments.
“Pavane” is a message to those who cannot bear the darkness of their situation: cling to hope! When all else fails, hope can remain. It can make the impossible possible. For those of you who already have hope: never lose it, and spread it as far as you can. It is our greatest power against evil.
