Symphony Fantastic
Symphony Fantastic for orchestra. coming 2011
While the title is deliberately adapted from the Berlioz work, my first full-fledged piece for symphony orchestra has nothing to do musically with that 19th century masterpiece. Instead, my intent is to honor the 50th anniversary of my beloved comic book heroes, the Fantastic Four. As a cross-artistic endeavor, I hope to appeal to lovers of comics and serious art music alike. The traditional four movements will each unfold as a tribute to one member of the quartet:
I) Elastic - here the stretching ability of brilliant leader Reed Richards is allowed to develop musically, with themes elongating and thinning out. Enemies attack, but are rebuffed by the rubbery form of Mr. Fantastic!
II) Clobberin' Time - a ponderous cacaphony of brass and percussion demonstrate the awesome might of the orange, rocky Thing. Dissonant trumpet and trombone fanfares pepper the page with the vocal calling card of the group's main muscle!
III) Invisible - first she's here, then gone…the distaff member of the quartet sees her musical theme gradually disappear into the surrounding fray. Unseen force balls pummel her foes, proving that Sue Richards is nobody's faint-hearted female!
IV) Flame On! - brilliant string and woodwind flourishes ripple across the page as the flaming Johnny Storm ignites the finale. When all seems lost, only a blast of super-nova heat will save the day for our heroes!