One of the most wildly illustrious pieces in Ticheli’s catalog is Vesuvius. It started out as a bacchanal to the God of Wine, Song and Revelry, but as Ticheli wrote, the piece suggested to him that it wanted to be pouncing, dark, and violent. Volcanic is also a word to describe it. It is attributed to the volcano that destroyed the ancient city of Pompey. This piece features a whirlwind of brass, both low and high with woodwinds fluttering in and out in 6/8. It really is a fabulous roundabout work that has some interesting harmonies in it. Fifths and thirds are sweet to the ear on this one. At the end of it, the tensions get to the boiling point right before a snare and bass drum clap and bang, possibly signaling the volcano’s eruption (?) It is one piece for the listening. If you want a rollercoaster of a work, this would be it!
