Cycles of the Avatar
(2012)
tuba quartet
Duration: 5 minutes
In Hinduism, an avatar is the mortal incarnation of a deity who has come to Earth. Some of the Hindu gods, Vishnu in particular, are said to have had many of these incarnations, creating cycles of birth, death, and rebirth. Each incarnation of the melody here is slightly varied from the last, while retaining the same core melodic character. It begins in a subdued minor feel lead by the first tuba. A slight variation of the melody marks the 'death' and transition to the afterlife with a more rousing, fanfare-like variation. A final, more rhythmically active variation marks the 'birth' of a new incarnation, ending with a callback to the opening material as the wheel of incarnations turns on and on. Premiered at the 2012 Tennessee Tech Tuba Ensemble "Octubafest." Publisher: Cimarron Music |
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