Compostela

This work tells the story of the pilgrimage along The Camino Frances, the most popular of the pilgrimage routes through Spain that lead to Santiago de Compostela, or the church where the bones of St. James the Apostle are said to be buried. The title of this work, "Compostela" is translated by some to mean "field of a star". This comes from the legend of the discovery of St. James the apostle - his body was said to be revealed by a star. The bassoon narrates what we may see and hear along this path, how we may feel, and what we discover about ourselves as we take this personal journey. In one movement, this work has several sections that highlight locations and important items along the way. Commissioned and recorded by Eric Van der Veer Varner. A work in one movement with titled sections: I. Field of Stars; II. Buen Camino!; III. A Toast of Happiness; IV. I was once; V. The Pit of Bones; VI. Cruz del Ferro; VII. The Scallop Shell Duration approximately 18 minutes