Product Description
The Alchemist is a work for solo cello with optional fixed-media electronic accompaniment. An interpretive painting by the composer, The Alchemists, also exists, and may be projected as a theatrical backdrop to the performance if desired. Duration, 9 minutes.
Free electronic accompaniment
A free copy of the electronic accompaniment is available by sending a request directly to the composer:
jeffreyhooverart@gmail.com
The Composition
While the historic image of alchemists transforming lead into gold is widely thought of, the ultimate goal of alchemy was achieving the Magnum Opus (the Great Work): removal of impurities, joining of opposites, refinement of materials, and spiritual transformation and enlightenment. The architecture of the music reflects the four broad stages of alchemical processes for the Magnum Opus. Each section is a characteristic entity, different from previous material, and is followed by either an expansion of that material, or further development of material from a previous section:
The melodic and harmonic materials find their roots in both the 19th and 20th Century: modifications of late 19th-century chromatic structures and intervalic material of the 19th-Century gives The Alchemist its sound and structure. For visual color and sound symbolism, the order of the alchemical stages color transformations (and their associated pitch centers) has been slightly reordered from the traditional alchemy transformation sequence, for musical purposes. Here, it is Black (Dark Blue), Silver, Yellow, and Red.
Composer biography
Jeffrey Hoover's works - ranging from soloist to symphony orchestra - have received recognition through the Premio Musicale Città di Trieste (symphonic composition), 2° Concorso Internazionale L. Russolo, (electro-acoustic music), Mu Phi Epsilon, the Lancaster Fine Arts Festival, SMP Press/Universal Edition Contemporary Music award, grants, publications fellowships and more than 25 commissions. He is a member of the ACME roster of Mu Phi Epsilon, recognized for distinguished achievement as a composer.
Jeffrey Hoover was born on September 11, 1959, in Anderson, Indiana. He holds a Ph.D. in Fine Arts (Composition and Interdisciplinary Fine Arts) from Texas Tech University, as well as a M.M. and Bch.Sc. from Ball State University. His career in higher education has included both faculty and administrative appointments.
Learn more about Jeffrey Hoover by visiting his websitejeffreyhooverart@gmail.com
https://jeffreyhooverart.wixsite.com/mysiteContacting Musicart PublicationsCarlos Rio, Editor
musicart.publications.editor@gmail.com
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.