The Druids Grove

Описание: This is the sixth and final movement of "At the Sign Of", a suite for wind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, and bassoon).

Three is a significant number in Celtic lore and here we have a triple fugue with three themes in three sections. The first section's subject is another variation on the theme from the first movement. The second section begins with the second subject played by the flute. Following a recapitulation of the first section, the third section begins with the third subject played on the oboe. The other two themes return after the exposition and all three themes combine in the final section.

The title "At the Sign of" is inspired by traditions from earlier times when inns, taverns and public houses displayed signs depicting the name of the establishment. These signs commonly used images reflecting local culture or the character of the establishment itself.

Since in those days many people could not read and maps were not widely available, such signs also served as landmarks. Travelers or locals might agree to meet "at the sign of..." as a way of identifying a meeting place.

Each movement of the suite bears the title of a fictional inn or tavern. This both echoes history and evokes the familiar role of taverns in role-playing games, where they serve as gathering places, sources of rumors and starting points for quests. Each movement also reflects the spirit of a character class from such games: the Knight, the Archer, the Cleric, the Wizard, the Paladin and the Druid.

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