The first movement, Muscipula, is meant to depict a Venus Flytrap (Dionaea Muscipula is the scientific name for Venus Flytrap ). The movement begins innocent and unassuming, however, it is leading towards an unfortunate devouring.
The tritonein the euphonium is an alarm before the repeat of the opening theme in the parallel minor.
The second movement, Carrion, portrays the Carrion Flower. The Carrion Flower is a large plant with the smell of a rotting corpse. This second movement is in contrast to the first and I utilized more dissonance in order to capture the rotting corpse smell.
lt is in the meter of a waltz ... a "deadly waltz." There is a duality in a beautiful flower that smells like death. This movement ends with a plagal cadence to provide some hopeful relief from the death.
The final movement, Vorax Tupenthes, is a strong and lively finish to the work. "Vorax Tupenthes" translates to The Devouring Tuba Plant, from the scientific name for the pitcher plant: Nepenthes. In this movement, a 4/4 rhythm is juxtaposed over a 6/4 ostinato.
The ostinato is the main theme of this movement and it is passed around between the euphonium and tuba 2 part.
In the final section, this ostinato is split between all 3 players and requires an awareness for when you have the "piece of the puzzle."