This work relates to a dream I had in February 2008: A distinguished-looking man in his sixties—a high-ranking police chief, tall, slim, white-haired––by the name of “Miles Davis” comes home unexpected, and finds his wife with another man. He carries himself with utmost composure and, smiling contentedly, makes dignified, reflective utterances. The adulterous couple is awed, but cautious. The man then places a gun to his own head, pulls the trigger, and shoots himself. He then tries to shoot the other man as well, but the gun fails. Next he tries to shoot the wife, and again the gun fails. The wife then reaches into the dead man's pockets and uncovers one of his most treasured documents, an old passport from decades ago, showing that he was Negro—a remarkably assimilated black man.
Setting: 3 Flutes, 3 Oboes, 3 Clarinets, 3 Bassoons, 3 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 3 Timpani, Vibraphone, String Quartet (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello), String Ensemble (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Bass).
Continuation
