This composition was created in collaboration with Andy Hudson and the Lawrence
Conservatory’s clarinet studio, commissioned to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the
Lawrence Conservatory. At the time of the project’s inception, Andy had recently moved to
Appleton, Wisconsin—a town centered around the Fox River, a waterway of great historical
and cultural significance. Being both an avid reader and lover of the outdoors, Andy found
himself reflecting on the nature of rivers, particularly inspired by the following passage from
The Lord of the Rings:
“He [Bilbo] used often to say there was only one Road; that it was like a great river: its
springs were at every doorstep, and every path was its tributary. 'It’s a dangerous
business, Frodo, going out of your door,' he used to say. 'You step into the Road, and if
you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.' . . .”
Rivers hold rich symbolic meanings: ever-present yet ever-changing, they carry with them both
life and danger. A river’s modest beginnings can grow into vast, flowing bodies of water,
reflecting the interconnectedness of all rivers. These contrasting ideas—eternal yet transient,
life-giving yet perilous—served as the conceptual foundation for this composition. The work is
divided into four movements, each named for and inspired by a different river.
Thames
The head of the River Thames can be found in a quiet field in Kemble, a seemingly humble
start for a river that eventually flows through the heart of London. This movement captures
that juxtaposition, portraying how small gestures can grow in importance, ultimately joining
to the symbolic sea. The music swells and expands, mirroring the Thames’ journey from its
unassuming origin to its vast conclusion.
Fox
The Fox River, flowing northeast to Green Bay, has long been integral to Appleton’s history.
It powered the first residence using hydroelectric power in the city, setting the tone for
innovation and energy in the region. This movement reflects that vibrant energy, embodying
both the river’s quiet strength and the lively downtown it nourishes. A flowing melody,
punctuated by shimmering timbral inflections, evokes the river’s dynamic presence. The music
captures the balance of serenity and power, representing the Fox River’s role in shaping both
the land and the communities it sustains. This movement is a tribute to the quiet perseverance
and strength that the river exudes.
Lethe
In Greek mythology, the Lethe is the river of forgetfulness, one of the five rivers of the
underworld. This movement evokes a sense of dreamlike ambiguity, with flowing lines and
hazy harmonies suggesting the blurring of memory and consciousness. Here, form gives way to
texture and atmosphere, invoking the mystical nature of Lethe as a river where souls forget
their past lives. The music drifts and shifts, exploring the delicate interplay between memory
and oblivion.
Jordan
The River Jordan has long been a symbol of spiritual transformation and renewal, particularly
in religious traditions that view it as a boundary between the earthly and the divine. This final
movement is both meditative and triumphant, capturing the symbolic crossing from one state
of being to another. Drawing on spiritual and liturgical influences, the music rises to a powerful
conclusion, representing the culmination of the river’s journey and its profound connection to faith, passage, and renewal.
Perusal Score
