Ad Parnassum

Instrumentation: soprano saxophone (oboe, clarinet, horn, violin, vibraphone), bass trombone (bassoon, horn, tenor trombone, cello), piano

Daniel Schnyder was so excited about the prospects of working with Kenny Drew jr. and David Taylor that he wrote something that he deemed impossible to play at the time. Today, the piece is still a great challenge to play well and right, as the musicians have to be familiar with the special vernaculars of modern music in the most encompassing sense.

The music combines traditional chamber music with a bunch of gritty urban music styles of Manhattan. Ad Parnassum can be played in different instrumentations and also works perfectly as a duo of the two melodic instruments. A version for ensemble with two soloists is also available.