Black Belt, White Cadillac

In this piece for mixed chamber ensemble, McCarthy explores the duality of his two passions outside of music - Korean Martial Arts and cruising around in vintage Cadillacs.

Program Notes

An autobiographic composition, this piece is one of duality; a musical depiction of two Korean martial art forms (Tae Kwon Do Poomse) and the American persona of one who likes to cruise in vintage cadillacs (preferably white).

The first movement, Taeguek Pal jung: Poomse of Yin, Earth, and North, begins with a traditional Korean folk tune. It soon breaks into a lively dance depicting the high leaps and mountain stances of the last of the color-belt forms (red belt), Taeguek Pal jung (form number eight).

More dark and serious, the second movement is written on the first-degree black belt form Koryo, the ancient name for Korea. An extremely violent form, Koryo begins with the martial artist lifting his or her hands to the face, focusing all energy into the hands.

The last two movements move to the other persona, "Cruisin’ The White Cadillac," and the reprise movement, "Black Belt, White Cadillac."

Grade Level: 5
Copyright: 2011
Number of Players: 6
Duration: 15:00
Type: Sextet

Listen to Recordings

Instrumentation

E-flat Alto Saxophone
Flute
Oboe
B-flat Clarinet
Horn in F
Bassoon