Stacked

Stacked is born in the wind in a very literal sense: its virtuosic nature requires an extreme exertion from the oboist who must keep up an incessant barrage of notes and phrases throughout. Wind imagery abounds as the work juxtaposes various timbres and textures to create a propulsive color wheel. The title is drawn from the process whereby different strains of music are stacked on top of one another, much like several gusts of wind merging in a storm to produce a powerful gale. Stacked strives to display the virtuosic capabilities of the oboe in a way that showcases the instrument’s aptitude for both lyrical and strongly articulated phrases. Stacked was written for, and is dedicated to, oboist Daniel Stackhouse.