Composition Notes
In the fall of 1995, Michael was introduced to Theressa Patterson, a young pianist who lived a short distance from his home. The two spent endless hours together. However, their teenage romance was short-lived. A month later, she ended the relationship. Michael turned back to music and played the piano for hours, completing this composition in a single day. Originally, he called the piece “Nocturne in F Minor” and included it as the 4th piece in his set of “Five Nocturnes” for piano.
However, 29 years later, after looking through the original piano manuscript, Michael decided to make a new arrangement for large orchestra. He also rewrote the ending of the song and retitled it “Over Western Plains” as he felt it evoked images of a wagon caravan crossing over the Great Plains of the USA in the 1800s.
Instrumentation
- Piccolo
- 2 Flutes
- 2 Oboes
- English Horn
- 2 Bb Clarinets
- 2 Bassoons
- 4 Horns in F
- 3 Bb Trumpets
- 2 Tenor Trombones
- Bass Trombone
- Tuba
- Timpani
- Bass Drum
- Cymbals
- Triangle
- Glockenspiel
- Celesta
- Harp
- 1st Violins
- 2nd Violins
- Violas
- Violoncellos
- Double Basses
