Abstract
Symphony no. 1, “Hamlet,” is a programmatic three-movement piece written for wind ensemble. Each of the three movements depicts a character or scene from William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet. This is a short symphony, spanning about nineteen minutes, intended for an advanced or semi-professional wind ensemble. Movement I. “Soliloquy” was written in reference to one of Hamlet’s soliloquies, “O what a rogue and peasant slave am I!” from the second act of the play. Hamlet’s indecision and inaction is represented by the insistence and repetition of the theme. When Hamlet formulates a plan of action at the end of this monologue, it is reflected in this movement by a sinister shift and sudden sense of direction. Movement II. “Ophelia” follows Ophelia’s character arc throughout the play. It begins with a simple melody, soon overtaken by a more forceful and statelier theme. The original melody is restated in a whole-tone transposition while percussion plays in an out-of-time band. The notation of aleatoric material in this movement is inspired by the notation practices of Krzysztof Penderecki. The final movement, “Foils,” depicts the last scene of the play in which Hamlet and Laertes engage in a swordfight. A rhythmic ostinato propels the movement forward, representing both the impending doom of the final scene and the swordfighters’ footwork. The piece closes with a restatement of Hamlet’s theme from the first movement and the distant militaristic march of Fortinbras’ army approaching Elsinore.