-Floating on the Wind-
-Islands in the Sand-
-The Sea of Stones-
-Beyond the Wall-
-Dancing between the Rocks
(played without pause)
Winner
1995 Lee Ettelson Award
In the Dragon's Garden was selected from 244 entries as a Winner of the 1995 Lee Ettelson Award. Commissioned by Frank Bongiorno and Robert Nathanson for premiere at the 1992 World Saxophone Congress in Pesaro, Italy, the work was inspired by a several visits to Ryoanji, a temple in Kyoto, Japan which is noted for its Zen garden made up almost entirely of rocks. Fifteen large rocks are set with precise randomness in a carefully raked rectangle of small white stones. The entire garden is surrounded by low earthen walls. In this garden, one is free to imagine the many possible meanings it may have. A challenging work both technically and musically, In the Dragon’s Garden extends the boundaries for both instruments and has provided an inspirational and practical basis for future literature in this medium.
Recorded on compact disc, Classic Saxophone, Vol. 2, Music da Camera, LCD 09193(lisciorecordings.com) and soon to be re-released on the compact disc, In the Dragon's Garden: Music by David Kechley, Liscio 98001(lisciorecordings.com)