Christopher Tucker: Music Gallery
FUJITA 5
(for symphonic band)
Fujita 5 is a symphonic march and derives its name from the Fujita scale which measures the amount of destruction a tornado leaves behind based on the tornadoes wind speed and length. An F5 tornado is considered the largest and most destructive. The work was commissioned by the L.D. Bell High School Bands (Bedford, TX), directors Joseph Gryzbowski, Jeremy Earnhart, and John Pollard.
"Tornadoes have always been a topic of interest to me. I have had dreams of encountering tornadoes up close (maybe you would consider this a nightmare). The work travels through three stages of a tornado's life. The first stage, "the creation of the tornado," is in 6/8 and includes a slow build up of sound with small woodwind motifs (the pitter-patter of rain). The middle stage is the "life of the tornado" and the theme of the march. The middle stage is in three small sections pivoting around a trio-like section. Halfway through the last 6/8 section, we have the high point of the "tornadoes destruction and its following dissipation". By the end, the audience is led to believe the tornado has died away. They are deceived by the final loud stinger, which has been placed as a reminder of the last piece of debris from the great Fujita 5."
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