Sounds, Shapes and Symbols

Bassett wrote Sounds, Shapes, and Symbols in 1978 for the University of Michigan Symphony Band on a commission from its conductor, H. Robert Reynolds, who led the premiere performance on March 17. It was Bassett’s second piece for wind band,after 1964’s Designs, Images, and Textures . Sounds, Shapes, and Symbols is in four untitled movements, each of which creates a unique, non-melodic soundscape by juxtaposing distinctive sonorities and textures against each other.

Orchestration: 4.2.8.EbCl.ACl.BCl.CBCl.2ASax.TSax.BSax.2 - 4.4.2.BTbn.2Bar.2 - Timp - 4Perc - Pf