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Abram’s Pursuit

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David Holsinger

David Holsinger


General Info

Year: 1998
Duration: c. 5:20
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: TRN Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $90.00   |   Score Only - $8.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Baritone in Bb
Trombone I-II-III
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V-VI, including:

  • Barchimes
  • Bass Drum
  • Bongos
  • Chimes
  • Crotales
  • Cymbals
  • Gong
  • Marimba
  • Orchestra Bells
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Temple Blocks (5)
  • Triangle
  • Xylophone


Errata

  • B-flat Cornet III, m.107,109,111,113: Should have a B-flat in that figure, not a B-natural


Program Notes

In the fourteenth chapter of Genesis there is a story of a rebellion led by Chedorlaomer, the King of Elam. Chedorlaomer and three other Kings joined together to ravage and conquer everything that lay in their path. They were met in battle at the Valley of Siddim (the Salt Sea) by an army mustered from the forces of the King of Sodom, the King of Gomorrah (pre-destruction days, of course...), the King of Admah, the King of Zebolim, and the King of Bela. Unfortunately this opposition army was not a match for Chedorlaomer, and each of these city-kingdoms, including Sodom and Gomorrah, were overrun. Chedorlaomer's forces, as was the custom, pillaged and fled with all the goods and provisions of the cities. Unfortunately for Chedorlaomer, his men also kidnapped Lot, Abram's brother's son. This, of course, is the same Abram who later became Abraham, Father of the Jewish Nation, and a very close friend of God. (In retrospect, this was probably Chedorlaomer's "not-so-bright" decision of the campaign!)

When Abram heard that Lot was taken captive, his armed three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born of his house went in pursuit of the invaders. With his small contingent, he divided his forces against the kings, attacked, and routed Chedorlaomer's entire army, recovering Lot and his goods, as well as all the women and people who had been kidnapped during the conquest.

- Program Notes by David Holsinger


As recorded in the Jewish scriptures, some 3,500 years ago, Chedorlaomer led a rebellion that ravaged everything that lay in his path. Near the so-called Dead Sea, the marauder’s forces were engaged in a conflict with an army from Sodom, Gomorrah, and nearby kingdoms. Chedorlaomer’s men looted the cities and also kidnapped Lot, Abram’s brother’s son.

This is the same Abram who later became Abraham, known as father of the Hebrews. When Abram heard that Lot was taken captive, he trained and armed 318 men from his large household and went in pursuit of the invaders. With this relatively small contingent, Abram defeated Chedorlaomer’s entire army, rescuing Lot, his family, and all the people who had been kidnapped. It is Abram’s intense pursuit that this music depicts.

- Expanded/Revised Program Note by Brian Casey


Media


State Ratings

  • Virginia: V
  • Minnesota - Category I
  • North Carolina: VI
  • South Carolina: V
  • Georgia: VI
  • New York: V


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Longwood University (Farmville, Va.) Wind Symphony (Charles Kinzer, conductor) - 25 April 2022
  • Manhattan (N.Y.) Wind Ensemble (Sarah Fernandez, conductor) – 7 March 2020
  • Marist College (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) Concert Band (Joshua E. Long, conductor) - 23 November 2019
  • Providence (R.I.) Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble Symphonic Winds (David Neves, conductor) - 19 May 2019
  • Cuesta Wind Ensemble (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) (Miriam Grisso, conductor) – May 19, 2019
  • Cheshire (Conn.) High School Wind Ensemble (John L. Kuhner, conductor) – 9 May 2019
  • Trine University (Angola, Ind.) Wind Ensemble (Mark Kays, conductor)– 28 April 2019
  • Lee University (Cleveland, Tenn.) Wind Ensemble (David Holsinger, conductor) – 23 April 2019
  • Modesto (Calif.) Junior College Symphonic Band (Erik Maki, conductor) – 22 April 2019
  • State University of New York, Fredonia, Concert Band (Ray Stewart, conductor) – 18 April 2019
  • University of South Dakota (Vermillion) Symphonic Band (John LaCognata, conductor) – 16 April 2019 (Iowa City, Iowa)
  • El Diamante High School (Visalia, Calif.) Wind Ensemble (Kristen Pallas, conductor) - 16 March 2019 (2019 Sutherland Wind Festival (Fresno, Calif.)
  • Kirksville (Mo.) High School Symphonic Band (Brad Hudson, conductor) – 7 March 2019
  • Grove City (Penn.) College Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble (Alina Santiago, conductor) – 23 March 2018
  • University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) Maroon Campus Band (Cassandra Bechard, conductor) – 6 March 2017
  • Jackson (Miss.) State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Lowell Hollinger, conductor) – 28 February 2017
  • Tri-Valley High School (Downs, Ill.) (Dan Marcotte, conductor) – 28 April 2016
  • Markham (Ont. Canada) District High School Band – 22 April 2016
  • Vassar College and Community Wind Ensemble (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) (James, Osborn, conductor) – 8 November 2015
  • Austin (Minn.) High School Wind Ensemble (Bradley Mariski, conductor) - 1 November 2012
  • San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Wind Orchestra (William V. Johnson, conductor) – 2 December 2000


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • David Holsinger website Accessed 28 August 2021
  • Holsinger, D. (1998). Abram's Pursuit [score]. TRN Music: Alto, N.M.
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