The Dark Glass Sinfonia (Score & Parts)

“We See Through A Glass Darkly…”
The Dark Glass Sinfonia is Wallin-Huff’s 2017 composition for symphony orchestra. Built upon an integrated set of hexachordal formulae – blending the concepts of free atonality with modal harmony – this work represents the enigmatic and ongoing, emotional flux of the Soul. Running time: approx. 6 minutes.

”Next comes Dark Glass Sinfonia by Sarah Wallin Huff, in which crumpled dissonances flower into exuberant tonality, capitalizing on the full dynamic range of the orchestra.” (PARMA Recordings)

The final piece, Through a Glass Darkly Sinfonia, dates from 2017. I imagine Forteian pitch-class set analysis might have a field day here: the piece is hexachordally based, but blends free atonality with nodal harmonies in an attempt to represent the eternal flux of the Soul. This short work of less than eight minutes is fascinating in its harmonies: They seem pregnant with meaning and potential. The Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra Ostrava is in top form, with some particularly impressive trumpet solos. For all its background theory, there are moments of real harmonic warmth. The piece is subtitled “We See Through a Glass Darkly,” and until about five minutes in it keeps to the mood of the title; then an Ivesian riot ensues (slightly toned down from those of the Master). It certainly sounds like the Ostravans have fun here, as the performance takes on an energy akin to live performance. It has a rather filmic climax. This is a well-composed piece that traverses a wide terrain over its brief duration. (Colin Clarke, Fanfare Magazine)

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…wonderful piece for orchestra, "The Dark Glass Sinfonia," gives me shivers, but it's wonderful.

Lovely wind section work...nicely orchestrated. It's brilliant and wonderful and very accessible...a beautiful, beautiful orchestral piece. Definitely descriptive, martial, perfectly accessible. (Daniel Kepl)