SKU: PR.114424540

ISBN 9781491138106. UPC: 680160693498.

THE WHITE HORSE explores the idea of extremes, composed to shine a light on the musicianship and raw virtuosity of the performer above any other of its properties. Pann writes that he was inspired by a 1980s dance music video whose energy expresses “the effect of a drug-induced euphoric frenzy in its seeming randomness at times, but also in its immediate back-and-forth between pyrotechnics and more subdued, blissed moments.”  .
THE WHITE HORSE is a single-movement solo for alto saxophone which explores the idea of extremes. My greatest hope is that it shines a light on the musicianship and raw virtuosity of the performer above any other of its properties. When I was first asked to write this work, my thoughts went to a 1983 music video by the Danish band, Laid Back. Their song “White Horse” is about using (or riding) the drug heroin. In this way, I wanted to write a single-movement piece that has the effect of a drug-induced euphoric frenzy in its seeming randomness at times, but also in its immediate back-and-forth between pyrotechnics and more subdued, blissed moments. Also, I simply like the phrase “The White Horse” and think it will lend the work some appropriate intrigue.  .