Sasquatch: Sightings - Kari Cruver Medina - Ladies' Bassoon Band - SHE Festival - PREMIER

Sasquatch: Sightings
Kari Cruver Medina https://www.karicruvermedina.com/
00:22 I. Sunrise, Veiled In Mountain Mist "The Wakening"
2:54 II. Dawn On the Riverside "At Rest"
4:54 III. Evening Deep Woods "The Call"
7:54 IV. Afternoon in Open Pasture "Rambling"
9:24 V. Midnight Pines "Flight"
11:03 VI. Midday By a Snowy Stream "Capers"
13:53 VII. Beneath a Twilight Sky "Alone" (SadSquatch)

Premiered at SHE Festival, University of Arkansas, 2024
Robyn Watson
Elizabeth Ball Crawford
Haley Houk
Cassandra Bendickson

Program Notes:
The timbre of the bassoon is so extraordinary. On one hand it can manifest an ambiance of poignancy and pathos that is both haunting and heart wrenching. On the other, it can capture a spirit of comedic and whimsical farce that dissolves us into gales of laughter. So you can imagine how thrilled I was at the prospect of exploring this remarkable breadth of expression when the Ladies Bassoon Band approached me about the subject of Sasquatch. As a fan of folktales and the fantastical, of fairies, trolls, elves, dwarves and the occasional djinn, how could I resist?

The name, Sasquatch is derived from an indigenous Salish term. But these creatures have many monikers, Big Foot, and Yeti among them, and although associated with North America, numerous cultures around the world include tales of similar beings. Our fascination with them has certainly moved way beyond folklore; they have become a cultural icon.

With this in mind, I thought it would be wonderful to peek in on them during their daily activities throughout the seasons. And so these “Sightings” feature the Sasquatch in seven different scenarios and moods, from the early morning of a misty mountain day in the fall, to the icy afternoon capers of a slippery snowscape in winter. From a pleading spring mating call, to the powerful isolation of a lonely January night sky.

As you are listening, allow your mind’s eye to wander through these seven Sasquatch scenarios, and as you do, be on the lookout for some of the unique, signature “special techniques” these remarkable players bring to their interpretation of the score. Most importantly, have fun. This is a score for the wildest imaginings….