Symphony No. 7: Full Orchestra

Coates writes for full orchestra with remarkable control over massive sound masses and linear motion across all instrumental sections. This symphony rewards careful rehearsal planning because the intricate layering of gradual glissandi demands precise sectional balance and sustained ensemble focus. For conductors seeking substantial contemporary repertoire that challenges musicians without abandoning musical logic, this work offers genuine artistic substance.

Time itself seems to shift and compress within this music. Swirling textures of gradually transforming sound create an atmosphere of quiet unease, as if watching hourglasses empty and corridors stretch endlessly. The work balances intricate detail with sweeping orchestral weight, never settling into comfortable harmonic resolution but instead maintaining a state of perpetual motion and transformation.

Conductors leading orchestras with the resources to field quadruple woodwinds and full brass sections will find a significant contemporary work that rewards serious preparation. This score suits orchestras seeking to program modern repertoire by women composers and those interested in expanding their ensemble's technical and musical capabilities.

• Map the glissando structures across all instrumental families during early rehearsals to ensure each section understands how its linear motion interlocks with adjacent voices and creates the larger architectural shape.
• Balance the full ensemble by identifying where primary melodic events reside at any moment; secondary instrumental families must play with consistent tone quality at controlled dynamic levels so they support rather than obscure the foreground.
• Study the three-movement arc as a cohesive emotional journey through time metaphors; attention to pacing between movements and the character shift from one section to the next will clarify the work's expressive intent.
• Establish clear sectional cues early, as the gradual transformations of material can obscure formal transitions for musicians without a secure grasp of the overall structure.

This 26-minute symphony works well as a centerpiece of a concert exploring contemporary orchestral sound and structure, positioned alongside other twentieth or twenty-first-century works that challenge traditional form. It also serves effectively as a season's contemporary offering that demonstrates your orchestra's commitment to living composers and experimental approaches to orchestration.

• Reading and executing linear glissandi in coordinated ensemble passages
• Maintaining consistent tone quality and intonation during gradual pitch transformations
• Balancing complex layered textures where multiple simultaneous glissando structures occur
• Responding to subtle textural shifts and sectional cues in non-functional harmony
• Building stamina and focus across a large-scale contemporary form without traditional cadential landmarks