Flights of Fancy (1999) for fireworks and tape was written to provide the grand finale of the Grand Opening Concert of the Murcheson Performing Arts Complex at the University of North Texas. The work was premiered on February 20, 1999 at the conclusion of the concert as audience members departed the building. The work incorporates a variety of musical excerpts of works that were performed during the concert including Walton’s Belchazzar’s Feast, wind symphony versions of Wagner’s Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral and Saint-Saën’s Symphony No. 3, and a variety of selections performed by the One O’Clock Jazz Ensemble. The tape also contains a number of fireworks samples which, like the musical excerpts, were manipulated using a variety of sound processing techniques. The video provides visual documentation of the fireworks accompanied by the tape portion of the composition.

Click the link below to download and audio excerpt

For performance materials contact jon.nelson@unt.edu