Mind Games

If you enjoy Bayou Breakdown you may like this one too! Foreshadowing themes to come, the music begins simply, with short, playful ascending and descending motivic spurts that randomly leap among each section. A short chorale phrase interrupts the excitement but quickly fades into a more dense scoring of the opening motives. A second chorale phrase leads to a transition that begins the main theme, first stated by solo trumpet, passed on to clarinet, then dished up for the entire ensemble. The quasi-pentatonic theme inspires accompanying counterpoint while the theme itself is augmented, mutated and modified throughout. A short rock groove transmogrifies the piece into the glorious music of J. S. Bach and one of his many organ masterpieces! During a musical repose the chorale theme, introduced earlier, is now stated in full by a woodwind choir. A recapitulation of the playfully quirky introduction ensues but quickly becomes agitated, now in minor, developing in a short, four-part fugue. The main theme returns, accompanied by the rock groove, once again leading to a joyous celebration inspired by Bach. The strong conclusion features a flurry of counterpoint followed by a cheeky little wink in the piccolo and tuba.