The Spirit of the Sequoia
 
系       列：Concert Band 室內管樂團
作       曲：Philip Sparke
演奏級數：4
出版公司：Halleonard
商品編號：HL44004956
 
樂曲解說
The commissioner of this work requested a piece that characterized humankind's ability to overcome personal tragedy, a scenario which often leaves one with a philosophy of serenity. The composer decided to use the analogy of the sequoia, a generic name for the huge redwood trees, particularly the Californian redwood. The remarkable life cycle of these amazing trees involves them dropping seeds to the ground which require heat to open their shells and germinate. The redwood forests are frequently subject to fires which can destroy the mother tree but ironically also provide the impetus for their seeds to spring into life; the trees actually need a disaster to procreate. In a similar way, the human spirit can actually gain from setbacks - we become stronger after adversity. The music falls into sections which can broadly be characterised as doubt, conflict, catharsis, inner calm and, finally, triumph.