Thunderstuck

Program Note by the Composer

"Thunderstuck" was completed on 29 December 2013 in Baltimore. Composed for the wonderful New York Philharmonic and their equally wonderful music director, Alan Gilbert, "Thunderstuck" is a nine-minute concert opener that reflects my continuing love of the popular music of my younger years. Rock music has had an influence on several of my works, but none more so than this one. Near the end there is an obvious reference to Jay Ferguson's 1978 hit "Thunder Island," and this helps give the piece its title. This is a work meant to be engaging and fun — sometimes I feel that a little more "fun" at classical music concerts would be all to the good.

The score is dedicated to Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic.

Christopher Rouse

© 2014 by Christopher Rouse
These program notes can be reproduced free of charge with the following credit:
Reprinted by kind permission of Christopher Rouse