Andrew William Thomas

guitar, perc (1) (marimba), string orchestra min 33231

Tone Poem with Music by: Andrew ThomasScenario & Text by: Howard L. Kesslerinspired in part by the book, "The Heroic Triad" of Paul Horgan

Copyright © PA 1-305-326

Recording:2008 Opus One Records #197 - The Polish State Radio Symphony,David Leisner, guitar; Simon Boyar, percussion; & Andrew Thomas, ConductorAttn: Max Schubel, Opus One, Box 604 Greenville, ME 04441-0604, USA (207) 997-3581)

Program Notes:

The score evokes with original themes the music styles of the three peoples of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The composition gives great respect to each culture while simultaneously dramatizing the melodic conflicts and differences among the three societies. The three musical styles eventually sound together, blending, yet with each musical heritage retaining its unique characteristics and independence.

The composition follows the printed scenario in three parts and an epilogue. Part one - From This Earth, describes the Native Americans. "The creators rained their seeds rhythmically upon the ground, calling the last family members to come up." Part Two - To This Realm, Describes the arrival of the Spanish People. "It would take much work to construct a dominion called home." Part Three - On This Territory, describes the settling of the Anglo Americans. "For those who worked in the city factories or the Appalachian mines, going West was a choice when there were few." The Epilogue - This in Proportion, states an important fact. "Whatever the past, if any part of the heroic triad falls, all will fall."

Text:

Part I ~ From This Earth

The knife sharp peaks of the Rockies tore holes in the clouds, spilling out the fluid that incubated lifein the upper world. With the delivery screams of an uneasy labor, the Spirits gave childbirth. The storm shook the foundation of the mountain, and with the thundering of drums the first breath of the lifeblood was announced. With great vitality, life made its descent from the heights in the howling of the winds and in the streaming course of gouged trails.

The Spirits created one great related Family. The creators rained their seeds rhythmically upon the ground, calling the last family members to come up.

The people germinated like pale roots in the dark. When it was time, they climbed out through an opening in the earth. They felt the sun and smelled the air. They tasted the cool waters and heard the sounds of their relations who came before. More remarkably, they saw the beautiful rock-faces holding up the realm of the Great Spirits and chose that color as theirs, in an act of respect.

As the youngest members of the Family, the people took much time to listen and learn from their elders. They noticed that each group recognized each other by allowing them room to themselves. In recognizing others the people realized that they too were individuals. They had fingers on their hands, which were unique to them. And they displayed their distinction on the rock-face walls declaring, "I am."

All of the Family was subject to the mood of the Spirits. There were sacred places of great terrors and wonders where the spirits came down to earth. The quest for the Spirits was a fearful journey. The more experienced would give guidance, having lived through previous trials. "Don't look behind you because of what might be following.*" The people searched out the Spirits to humbly ask for enough to sustain them. Following the word of the old ones illuminated the commandments that would insure their lives. And this is what they believed.

A distant thunder of hooves and an incented draft murmured that they were being followed by men who spoke strangely and had faces white like the clouds "¦ perhaps they were the spirits themselves.

Part II ~ To This Realm

In search of the dreams of wealth, came soldiers of a Spanish king. The illusions of golden cities energize the military muscle. The officers, from their saddles, found nothing but a land of rocks, but any land in itself meant power.

They asserted title and controlled the new found territory with a capital established with a government of laws, embodied by one God. These edicts would stretch the borders of influence for the king who also spoke for a King of Kings. Those who would not march in that line would be punished. Following the word of the church illuminated the commandments that would insure their lives. And this is what they believed.

However, the people who were born from this land knew nothing of commandments other than those of the Spirits. What they saw was supernatural; out of the realm of their understanding. These magical powers claimed the earth but they were not Family to it. Military forces trapped the beating hearts of their Spirits and drowned them in the rattle of armor and the clash of swords.

The foot soldiers who marched upon the ground found more here than they could have ever obtained on the soil of their genesis. Those whom they left behind were honored by the righteous mission of the dear ones who had gone. Thus blood was taken from the vein of their Iberian progenitor to replicate new life and customs in this non-familiar land.

It would take much work to construct a dominion called home. Here, all fundamental elements of their universe had to be created. It was extravagantly prohibitive to have pieces of the old world sent to the new, therefore influence, necessity, and the materials at hand gave rise to a distinctive personality of living. It appeared to be more of the new than of the old from the outside but at the very core remained the heritage of family.

Part III ~ On This Territory

For those who worked in the city factories or the Appalachian mines, going West was a choice when there were few. The East needed food and wanted adornments. This made hunting for fur, mining for costly metals, and cattle ranching rewarding pursuits.

Profit was both an honorable crusade and a justification. Opportunity answered could make a man rich. Following the word of the affluent illuminated the commandments that would insure their lives. And this is what they believed.

Those who came, by foot or rail, found strange customs and tongues. They were brought on the wheels of a governmental machine who declared that all the land was under their jurisdiction.

However, the Westerners who lived from this land knew nothing of commandments of commercial decrees. What they saw was foul, out of the realm of their understanding. These new arrivals made claim to the land but they were not from the land. Economic forces trapped the beating hearts of the western heritage and drowned them with the pandemonic uproar of the engine.

As the newest members of the territory, the settlers took much time to listen and learn from the established people. They noticed that each group recognized each other but kept distant; staying to themselves. In recognizing others, the settlers realized that they too were separate. They brought wealth, and technology . And they displayed their distinction by refashioning the land declaring, "I am."

Epilogue ~ This in Proportion

A triad of peoples, Each with reason and with reason to reside. Does the land belong to mankind or mankind to the land? The Spirits, religion, family, history, technology, and, yes, wealth too, have created this favored place. Whatever the past, if any part of the heroic triad falls, all will fall. It is only by following the governings of the land itself illuminated by its physical commandments which will insure our lives.

Dedicated to our loving family member and dear friend, Tommy J. Riggs

Commission & Premiered:20th Century Unlimited, June 24, 2000, James A. Little Theatre, Santa FeDavid Leisner, guitar, Gregg Koyle percussion, and Yehuda Gilad, Conductor

*approved quote from, "The Heroic Triad" by Paul Horgan