2.2.2.2 / 2.2.1.0 / 2 perc.pno./cel. / strings
9’00”
composed 2001
Composer’s Note
In this short tone poem, we follow the misadventures of Gaslamp through one last night of reveling, partying, and swinging. Entering the scene with much fanfare, Gaslamp vows to “dance every dance” and “drink every drink”. In his vain attempt to party beyond his own meager capacity, Gaslamp collapses in a mix of exhaustion and inebriation. Coming to, he finds himself alone on the dance floor.
Disgusted and humiliated, Gaslamp vows to himself to leave this life style behind and finally settle down. This is the same vow he has made for the past 65 years.
The character of Gaslamp is fictional, his name taken from the Gas Lamp District in San Diego, CA – my hometown. Gaslamp’s Last Dance was written in fulfillment of the Masters Thesis of my Masters of Music Degree in Composition at Indiana University.