A Major-minor Mystery

A Major-minor Mystery is an exploration of music's major and minor tonalities disguised as a "whodunnit." Chapter by page-turning chapter the cunning and comical major-minor sleuth, Inspector Beckensteiner, investigates a concert where major suddenly becomes minor.  The inspector suspects everyone, including the audience.  The culprit is revealed in a surprising reenactment of the ill-fated concert. 

A season neutral work, the below photos are from a Major-minor Halloween concert by the North Carolina Symphony.

1. Wesley Schulz conducting. 2. Inspector Beckensteiner capturing the “enigma selfie”. 3. The orchestra in costume.

A Major-minor Mystery was commissioned and premiered by Marin Alsop at the Cabrillo Music Festival in 1997.

Orchestration: 3(pic), 2(eh), 2, 2     4, 3, 3, 1    Timp +2, Harp, Strings, Narrator (acting skills recommended).

Timing:  22 minutes