The Wild Goose (An Gé Fhiáin)

The Wild Goose (An Ge Fhiain)
Composer: Ryan George
United States Navy Concert Band
Conducted by Capt. Kenneth Collins
Featuring Chief Musician Richard Reed on English horn
Recorded at Norther Virginia Community College's Schlesinger Hall

Ryan George's "The Wild Goose" is written in the free-form of a fantasy overture and is built around a 5-note motif. The Goose, represented by a solo english horn shows up at various points in the work as both a boisterous motivator and a soothing counselor. Music influences coming from the Celtic traditions are faint early on in the piece but transition to the forefront towards the end as the emulated sounds of bagpipes, penny whistles, and Irish drumming transform the 5-note figure into a reel and jig.