'Zoomorphisms' refers to having the shape, form, or likeness of an animal; the use of animal forms in symbolism, literature, or representation. The first in a series of seventeen miniatures, this is The Crab. Colouristically, this piece features fluttertongued woodwinds and brasses, quarter tones, harmonics, Bartok pizzicati as well as fingered tremolos in the strings.
There are 17 orchestral miniatures, likely well over 30 minutes in duration in total, and probably represent the best of my orchestral writing. It's funny how one can get inspired by seemingly mundane things, like animals.
Camille Saint-Saëns wrote a 14 movement suite, 'The Carnival of the Animals', which includes his famous, 'The Swan' movement. My suite has a swan movement in homage, although this music is much more modern.
Instrumentation: Oboe, E-Flat Clarinet, B-Flat Clarinet, B-Flat Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Contrabassoon, B-Flat Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Cuica, Woodblock, Guiro, Cabasa, Violin I, Violin II, Violas, Celli, Double Basses
