WINGATE: METAPHYSICAL MONOLOGUE NO. 3 
for Horn Solo

Date:
2020

Duration:
4'45"

Notes:
Wingate’s deep affection for the magnificent French horn in F is here manifested as the Third Metaphysical Monologue in the composer’s quietly epic collection of eleven concert études. The horn’s musical quest for meaning in this iteration is formed by a set of ten notes, developed both through rotational array and simple transposition, then glued together based on the melodic needs at the connection points, allowing the piece’s musical gestures to float independently away from any single 10-note structure. This creative nonalignment of melody and pitch groupings often serves to add wayward intervals into the proceedings, perhaps unintentionally enhancing the music’s introspective uncertainty. The piece’s almost fanfare-like opening quickly tapers downward through the prime form of the ten-note series, already somewhat unsure of its philosophical prospects. There are many splendid brass-mannered moments throughout, but these often give way to more woodwind-esque passages such as those in the first Monologue for flute. As in all of Wingate’s MetaMons, this Third Monologue requires transcendent technical prowess of its performer, not to mention a stalwart ear to navigate the unanchored atonal soundscape and the close partials of a belovedly and notoriously mercurial instrument. Among the piece’s perils are a stratospheric high G and many ‘stopped horn’ notes, some almost absurdly and impossibly low. The horn seems to be asking pressing questions throughout its many changes of mood and range, but its searchings come to an end with a final rotated statement of the set, answering the piece’s own opening moments, and capped—albeit from the depths—with a blustery note of doubtful triumph. This work is dedicated to the outstanding horn virtuoso, conductor, and composer Michael P. Atkinson.