A conductor's analysis of James M. David's Symphony No. 2–"The Road Is Life"

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze James M. David's Symphony No. 2 – "The Road Is Life" (2024) to understand its literary influences, assist conductors in their performance of the piece, and introduce the work to a larger audience. James M. David (b. 1978) is a versatile American composer with a unique voice inspired by many creative and intellectual sources. David composes for a wide range of ensembles, and his works draw inspiration from countless musical, literary, historical, and artistic sources. He often combines complex contemporary harmonic and rhythmic language with the more accessible elements of jazz, funk, and other popular genres. David's Symphony No. 2 forms a unique addition to the wind band repertoire in its use of jazz-like stylistic elements to explore the literary works of the Beat Generation. This well-known group of dissident American authors, notably Allen Ginsburg and Jack Kerouac, paved the way for the counterculture movement in post-World War II America, railing against the distractions of modern life. Each movement of David's Symphony No. 2 musically depicts a literary work of the Beat Generation and a related geographical location. Thus, David explores the sounds of New York City, New Orleans, the rugged wilderness of Colorado, and the chaos of San Francisco in this road-trip-like work. This thesis will synthesize David's numerous intellectual and musical influences within the compositional structure of Symphony No. 2. It will also provide detailed musical information and explore the thematic elements of the work. This thesis will thus be both a primary resource for conductors seeking to perform James M. David's Symphony No. 2 and will add to the academic literature of the wind band genre.