As I thought about writing a work for oboe with wind ensemble, I was struck by the challenge of balancing a single woodwind instrument with the powerful forces of a full symphonic wind ensemble. Although the intent would be for the ensemble to support the soloist, it would be very easy for the oboe to become overwhelmed. As an avid sailor, I often sense that same tension when sailing my 26’ sloop (named “Wind Ensemble”) on Lake Michigan.   The same forces of wind and waves that propel my craft and give me great pleasure have the power to overcome my little boat.  Thus, the program for this piece became the telling of a story of a small boat on a big sea.

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​1. Safe Harbor

The story begins within safety of the harbor.  In musical terms, the key of Eb represents that safety in this piece.  The key of F represents the potential power of the sea, and even here in the opening moments, an F major chord is juxtaposed against the underlying Eb tonality.  In fact, this F/Eb juxtaposition is played out repeatedly. ​

​2. The Wind Rises​
In the second section, rising winds are represented by a gentle rising and falling quarter note pattern, again emphasizing the F/Eb relationship. There is a sense of expectancy, as in our story the skipper recognizes the rising winds as the potential for great sailing.  As he heads out of the safe harbor, we are reminded again of the safety he’s leaving (Eb) and the strength of the open water (F).

 3. Smooth Sailing​
Now in open water, the quicker motion of wind and waves is felt in an extension of the quarter note pattern.  Each of the two parallel sixteenth note patterns are diatonic scales in major keys, but separated by a major 3rd.  This is both familiar and unsettling. One more statement of Eb reminds us of what we’ve left before the oboe/sailboat comes out to ride gently on the waves.  The energy of the rising and falling scales mutates into parallel augmented chords, leaving the oboe/sailboat to flounder a bit in a confused sea. The developmental section that follows is a battle for the boat to find its place amid the waves, at times succeeding, and at other times nearly overcome.​

4. Overcome
Suddenly, the wind and waves are too much.  The confused sea (represented by very quick parallel augmented arpeggios) drowns out the simple melody of the oboe.  We leave the triple meter briefly as the skipper ducks inside the cabin to catch his breath and assess the situation.  Melodic material from the opening section represents his thoughts, remembering the safety of the harbor.  But with renewed determination, he takes the helm again to ride out the storm.​

5. Turning Point
The boat again finds its place in the rhythm of the sea.  And at the same time, the storm subsides.  The wind is dying, and along with it, the reason for sailing.​

6. Return to Harbor
As the little boat returns to harbor, we return to the key of Eb.  Harmonic and melodic material from the first section represent the return.  But even in a place of relative safety, the Fmajor chord superimposed over Eb reminds us of the power of the sea, just outside the harbor.​

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The title “Barque So Frail” comes from the hymn “My Anchor Holds,” by Daniel B. Towner (a “barque” is a small sailing craft):

     Though the angry surges roll
     On my tempest driven soul
     I am peaceful, for I know,
     Wildly though the winds may blow
     I’ve an anchor safe and sure
     That can evermore endure.

     And it holds, my anchor holds;
     Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
     On my barque so small and frail;
     By His grace I shall not fail,
     For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.

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There are two musical quotes in the piece. At the moment when the wind ensemble’s frenzied playing is the greatest, overcoming the “sailing” melody of the oboe, the hymn’s opening line, “Though the angry surges roll on my tempest-driven soul” appears in the lowest voices.  The other phrase occurs near the end.  The hymn’s final line “My anchor holds, my anchor holds” appears more obviously stated by the full ensemble, but again as accompaniment to the oboe’s solo statements, which ride out the “gale” to a confident conclusion.

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Mark Kellner