(Use the "Back" button to return to your selected music)

PORTRAITS 4, The Four Elements, is the fourth work composed on commissions from the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission [SMAC]. The original intent of the "New Works" category by SMAC was to encourage creative artists in the performing arts category to produce new works on any theme related to Sacramento. Some of the artists objected to the notion of prefixed parameters as being restrictive and limiting; I was encouraged by them. 

The Four Elements—Earth, Air, Fire, and Water—is a four-movement work with each section portraying through music the influence of the four philosophical and natural elements over the history of the Sacramento area in California, USA. In some instances, the music is an attempt at literal descriptions. In others, the music simply conveys an impression. In every case, the listener is encouraged to let their imagination flow freely.

The narrator will provide the listener with the theme or intent of each movement; how it plays in your mind will be as unique, fresh, distinct, and individual as you. In this regard, the music is very much like a soundtrack for a movie, a play, opera, ballet, or even a documentary. The music has direct influence on the listener's mental images and emotions but does not curtail the experience.

The first performance of PORTRAITS 4 was on March 14, 1993. "Fire" was not performed for reasons I cannot now remember. The narrator and Master of Ceremonies was veteran and venerate Sacramento television anchor Stan Atkinson. In 2022 I began an extensive overhaul of all four sections by way of extended development, reduction of unnecessary material, corrections to typos and shoddy craftmanship, and expansion of orchestration.

Timings:
       Earth 10'12
       Air 8'02
       Fire 5'23
       Water 8'20
TOTAL: 31'57

:-)
Vanessa McClintock
April 2023