Fleet

From the very first moments of Fleet, the listener has the feeling of having happened on a piece of music in mid-stream. Propelled by a fortissimo splash on the crotales (small, cymbal-like bells), the organ jumps into a flying perpetuum mobile which, while gentle to the ear, tests the physical limits of the hands. Exchanges of color in the crotales and organ pedal add resonant waves in the wake of the speeding figures. The rhythmic fury is soon passed to the marimba, which is in turn supported by the organ. The music seems to repose briefly during a percussive interlude, but returns to the driving rhythms before an interim climax and transition into the second section.

In direct contrast with the first section, the center of the work is highlighted by delicate, woven lines of counterpoint, subtle colorations, and a near-complete lack of a discernible beat. After a bit, the vibraphone offers a glimpse of a motive which will be fully revealed only at the end of the work. Finally, in a display of virtuosic ensemble work, organ pedal and drums lock into biting, cascading rhythms which lead into the return of the perpetuum mobile. This takes us on a course which is at first familiar, but which then takes some surprising turns as it heads toward a jubilant finale.

Fleet was commissioned by the American Guild of Organists for the 2004 National Convention in Los Angeles.

E.M.