Скачать или смотреть Stephenson - The Further Adventures of Effie, for tuba and piano (with score)

The Further Adventures of Effie, for tuba and piano
Composer: Jim Stephenson

0:00 I. Effie swipes left
3:40 II. Effie takes a tango lesson/goes clubbing
8:24 III. Effie gets tipsy
11:24 IV. Effie waits at the DMV
13:40 V. Effie goes to therapy
16:28 VI. Effie adopts a puppy

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Brief program notes, from the composer:

I. Effie swipes left: (a reference to dating apps) - The pianist literally swipes leftward on the piano, so that we might be introduced to Effie. Then Effie "swipes left", and we are introduced to the piano. The two have different personalities, of course, but as the music progresses, they begin to have more and more dialogue, and their personalities begin to merge together as their fondness for each other grows.

II. Effie takes a tango lesson/goes clubbing: I imagined that our "couple" now decides to dance together. They start by taking a tango lesson, but after a while, the throbbing bass from the dance-club next-door lures them over. When the "beat drops", they try out their newly learned tango moves right there on the club floor.

III. Effie gets tipsy: a pretty self-explanatory movement, after all that clubbing. I added some hiccups and some staggered steps amongst the waltz. Near the end, Effie, in cliché fashion, "stumbles through a China-shop", with the pianist representing the breaking glass. The movement ends with Effie falling asleep, but not before one final hiccup.

IV. Effie waits at the DMV: Unfortunately, Effie had decided to drive after getting tipsy, resulting in a stop by the police, and a subsequent trip to the DMV (where this movement begins). As we all know, the DMV is INCREDIBLY boring. Therefore, the pianist literally stays on the same bass note almost the entire movement, as time slowly tolls along. Eventually, Effie's patience grows thin and she gets more and more impatient. Finally, we hear the ring of the bell, meaning her number has been called, and she quickly rushes to the counter.

V. Effie goes to therapy: Effie, now having endured some trauma, decides to go to therapy. Similar to the first movement, this movement begins with the pianist (therapist) literally introducing themselves - almost a "how are you?", rhythmically. Effie responds, trying to explain herself. The conversation ensues, and agitation begins where they don't quite see eye-to-eye, literally arguing by phrase, then by beat, and then actually by eighth-note. Finally, after much struggle to get there, a convivial resolution is reached, where they agree on things, and play in unison.

VI. Effie adopts a puppy: The therapist's suggestion is that Effie adopt a puppy, for companionship. This movement therefore starts with the incessant and loud barking of an excited puppy. As expected, the music is full of life, and very cheerful, as Effie and her new puppy enjoy their new life together. Eventually, they both get tuckered out, and Effie dreams about all that has happened - and all the themes reappear. The puppy, of course, wakes up and again is full of life. We get one final "swipe-left", symbolizing that we've now been introduced and have come to know Effie quite well. Note: There are a few "F-E" note patterns in the piece, which are intentional, of course, representing Effie's name.

Thank you very much to David Zerkel, who initiated and commissioned this work as an update to Effie, based on the famous character as musically represented by Alec Wilder. David also suggested the movement titles, which was incredibly helpful. And thank you to Alec Wilder, of course, whose music I knew as a young trumpet player, for his comical and delightful inspiration for this "sequel".

~ Jim Stephenson; April 2, 2025.