Dark Ice and Flames of Tango: Woodwind Quartet Conductor Score & Parts

A conversation between opposing forces that somehow coexist. One moment the ensemble is smoldering with tango intensity; the next, it's reflective and cool. The piece never feels torn apart by these shifts; instead, they feel like natural extensions of a single emotional arc.

Intermediate to advanced woodwind quartets seeking an original work that sits comfortably below virtuosic difficulty but demands real musicality. This works for ensembles preparing for festivals or building a recital program beyond the standard quartet repertoire.

• Nail the rhythmic precision of the tango figures in the opening sections; sloppy articulation will flatten the style entirely. Flute and oboe should lock in unison lines, while clarinet and bassoon establish the rhythmic foundation.
• Balance the softer, sorrowful passages by letting each voice breathe independently. These aren't accompaniment moments, even though someone is playing a supporting role.
• Embrace the mood swings without apologizing for them. The piece moves between gleeful and calm deliberately, so lean into the character changes rather than blending them together.

Program this alongside works that share its Latin vocabulary or its emotional range, rather than grouping it with pieces of similar technical demands. It pairs well with other original contemporary works for woodwind quartet, and its moderate length makes it ideal for a mixed concert or chamber music festival.

• Tango rhythm and articulation patterns
• Balancing individual voice independence with ensemble cohesion
• Shifting between contrasting characters and tempos with clarity
• Intonation in sustained, lyrical passages
• Rhythmic precision in syncopated figures