Passing Through from Moxie by Chamber Winds of South Dakota

Passing Through by Kimberly R. Osberg
for woodwind octet

[notes by the composer]
Originally written in 2013, “Passing Through” explores a series of textures through simple-but-elegant musical gestures. Starting with a slow, almost meditative opening section, the winds fade in and out, creating the effect of a single, ever-evolving instrument. The flutes and clarinets soon take over as a plodding motor, allowing for the other voices to sing expressively over the ensemble.
This culminates in a palpable outburst of energy, echoing the fading ideas of the opening but at a greatly increased pace. Peppered with moments of ensemble arrivals, the piece marches into a sudden halt near the end, culminating in a final gesture that seemingly evaporates into thin air. The result is a dynamic work that showcases each instrument group, making it an ideal piece for any wind octet.

In the tradition of Mozart, Strauss, and Taffanel, the Chamber Winds of South Dakota bridges the gap between chamber music and a modern wind ensemble. In that vein, we prioritize a mix of traditional works, and also works by living and underrepresented composers.

chamberwindsofsouthdakota.com