Infernal Ride

Tripartite in form, “Infernal Ride” is mercurial and virtuosic, yet with a more static middle section. The work reflects the mad-cap chase of Ichabod Crane’s final ride on his horse, Gunpowder, in the story by Washington Irving, namely “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Often an atmosphere of driven fear pushes the music forward only briefly stopping for breath. The work closes with flourishes in rapid succession, perhaps with the hapless Ichabod meeting his unfortunate end!