JAMES M. DAVID, composer
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I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold 
​for wind symphony


Purchase score and parts through Murphy Music Press
​
Grade 6 - $175 - ca. 10 minutes

Perusal Score (opens new window)

Program Notes

My newest work for wind symphony is based on the iconic painting "I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold" by Charles Demuth.  Considered to be a seminal work of modern art that led towards cubism, the painting has an incredibly bold and striking design that draws the viewer inwards.  The painting itself is similarly inspired by a work from a different medium: William Carlos Williams' poem "The Great Figure" which describes a fire engine hurtling down a busy city street.

In my work, I have tried to use abstract techniques to create a bold work in the vein of the original painting.  The number five is expressed in many different ways including the prevalence of perfect fifths, rhythmic techniques based on the number five, and an adaptation of Bartok's five-part arch form.  The work uses literal text painting by emphasizing brass, saxophone, and bell timbres throughout.  While largely lyrical in nature, the movement builds to an energetic allegro concluding with a massive choral finale.
  • Home
  • about
  • wind ensemble
    • Message from Arecibo
    • Flying Jewels
    • Urban Light
    • Troublesome Fire
    • Symphony no. 1
    • Ghosts of the Old Year
    • Call to Commitment
    • With Soul Serene
    • March Tumbao
    • Lookfar
    • Menlo Park, 1879
    • Zephyrus
    • Flexible Instrumentation
    • Heartland Verses
    • Swing Landscape
    • I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold
    • Concerto for Vibraphone
    • The Moorlands
    • Big Four on the River
    • All Dark Is Now No More
    • Temple's Grace
    • From the Shaken Tower
    • Two-Lane Blacktop
    • Sinfonietta no. 3
  • compositions
    • wind ensemble
    • clarinet >
      • all clarinet works
      • clarinet sonata
      • AUTO '66 - Clarinet Concerto
    • saxophone >
      • all saxophone works
      • Saxophone Sonata
      • L'oiseau dans l'espace
      • Saxophone/Percussion Double Quartet
    • trombone >
      • all trombone works
      • Trombone Sonata
      • Five American Dances
      • Song of the Valar
      • Bass Trombone Sonata
      • Partiels 2
      • Garden of the Gods
    • Other Brass Works >
      • Of Unsurpassed Heroes
      • Trumpet Sonata
    • Percussion >
      • The Dandelion
      • NOLA - BELA - SOWEGA
    • large ensemble >
      • Tin Lizzies on Old Fall River
      • LASCAUX
      • KAFKA - Sax Concerto
    • chamber ensemble >
      • Clarinet and Horn Trio
    • solo / electroacoustic
    • choral / vocal >
      • KUBLA KHAN
  • contact
  • Report Performance