Audacity of Hope, The
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General Info
Year: 2008
Duration: c. 6:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Vaia'ata Print
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II-III
Oboe
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III-IV
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V
(percussion detail desired)
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
This celebratory overture was commissioned by the Northern Virginia Community College in honour of Dr. Robert Petrella, founder and director of the Alexandria Band, 1977-2007. It was inspired by the words of Barack Obama and composed in the run-up to his victory in the 2008 presidential election.
The music is built around two strongly contrasted themes. The first could be described as moody and intense. It first appears in the form of a fugato by the four saxophones. The second theme gradually emerges throughout the piece, finally being heard in its entirety as a trumpet solo in the closing minutes. I would characterize it as joyful but also assertive. All the remaining material, including the up-surging opening figure in the clarinets, is derived from one or both of these themes. For much of the piece they are treated in a polarized manner – with highly contrasted registers and textures. As they move closer together it becomes clear that they are the two sides of the same coin.
Robert Petrella himself directed a very expressive and warmly received premiere performance on December 5, 2008, in the impressive auditorium of the Northern Virginia Community College.
- Program Note by composer
Media
(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- The Florida Wind Band (Tampa) (John Carmichael, conductor) – 23 February 2018 (CBDNA 2018 Southern Conference, Tampa, Fla.)
- Alexandria Band (Woodbridge, Va.) (Robert Petrella, conductor) – 5 December 2008 *Premiere Performance*
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Alafaya (2019)
- Transcending (2019)
- The Audacity of Hope (2008)
- Aue! (2001)
- An Emily Dickinson Suite (2009)
- For What Is Lost. See: Renascence
- L'homme armé (2003)
- Light (2010)
- The Lost (2022)
- Méndez (2015)
- Okaoka (2005)
- Pulse (2020)
- Renascence (2007/2016)
- For What Is Lost (2016)
- Resonance (2006)
- Rondorlando (2007)
- Rust Belt (2017)
- Song of Hope (2020)
- Thenody (2021)
- U Trau (2004)
Resources
- Christopher Marshall website Accessed 5 March 2018