The Civility of War

The Civility of War was commissioned and premiered by the West Point Woodwind Quintet in April 2013, through the New York City-based nonprofit organization, Vox Novus, in their Composer's Voice Concert Series. The concert, titled Illustrating the Civil War featured works commemorating the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War. Movement I, Nationalism, represents the development of nationalistic politics prior to the war. It begins with eerie melodies in the double reeds and clarinet, building to represent the tensions leading into the Civil War. The second movement, A Country Torn Apart, represents the war itself, where the northern and southern states split apart on the issues of slavery. Military calls are represented by the horn, while gunfire and marching soldiers are represented through body percussion. Rhythmic and punctuated interjections in the woodwinds simulate the chaos and devastation of the war as it divided the nation. The third movement, Finding Resolution, represents a country's journey to healing and resolution in the aftermath of conflict. The body percussion, in combination with uniformed service men and women provide a specific visual and auditory effect to enhance the story told through music.