Crandall Canyon (Solo Flugel & Band), Dr. Daniel Thrower

Composed by Dr. Daniel Thrower. Duration: 4:20. See program notes for GMP6001. More about the composition: the introduction is an unusual nine measures, in memoriam of the nine who died. Dissonance is prevalent, depicting pain. The 'tick-tock' marimba motifs mark the anxious race against time. Later there is a series of three brief brass fanfares: hope, as the heroic rescuers burrowed through the loose coal; three fanfares to honor the three deceased rescuers. The music plunges into agony with bitter, muted echoes of the fanfares. To replace the valiant march, a heavy death march. Hope diminishes as the cries augment. Finally the soloist plays alone, forsaken by the accompaniment.