Binding, The
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Subtitle: For Brass Ensemble
General Info
Year: 1981 / 1984
Duration: c. 5:20
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $60.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III-IV
Euphonium I-II
Tuba I-II
Timpani (optional)
Percussion (optional)
(percussion detail desired)
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
The Binding is a work based on two hymn tunes, Deidre and St. Patrick’s Breastplate. The title was derived from the current Anglican text for the latter, “I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity.”
- Program Note from Illinois State University Wind Symphony concert program, 24 April 2021
The Binding was commissioned by and dedicated to the Mount Union College Brass Choir, which gave the first performance on May 20, 1981.
The work begins with antiphonal fanfare motifs characterized by irregular and mixed meters; ideas from this opening section are re-used to accompany the Breastplate tune and to serve as separating interludes. The lyrical, folksong-like melody is presented straight-forwardly in successive two-phrase units by euphoniums and tubas, next by horns, and then by trombones, whereas the final two phrases are taken by solo trumpet in a rhapsodic, highly decorated version of the theme (marked "Freely, quasi cadenza").
The shorter Deirdre, each phrase beginning with a dotted-note figure, is given out antiphonally, led by the horns, euphoniums, and tubas, and answered by the trumpets and trombones. an overlapped return of the Breastplate theme is introduced by the tubas, building cumulatively with the successive phrase-by-phrase addition of trombones, horns, and trumpets reaching a powerful tutti statement of the second half of the hymn melody. solo horns and euphonium form a transition to a brief, climactic recall of the Deirdre theme.
- Program Note from liner notes for Crystal Records CD Millar Brass Ensemble
Media
- Audio CD: Millar Brass Ensemble - 1993
State Ratings
- Indiana: 090 - LARGE BRASS ENSEMBLES
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) Concert Band Chamber Winds (Courtney Snyder, conductor) - 5 November 2021
- Illinois State University (Normal) Wind Symphony (Anthony C. Marinello II, conductor) - 24 April 2021
- U.S. Marine Band (Washington, D.C.) (Michelle Rakers, conductor) – 15 December 2015
- Mount Union College (Alliance, Ohio) Brass Choir – 20 May 1981 *Premiere Performance*
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Accolade (1978)
- Antiphon (1970)
- The Binding (1981/1984)
- Centennial Vista (1991)
- Ceremonial Proclamation (1983)
- Chant of the Phoenix (1984)
- Concerto for Piano and Wind Ensemble
- Concerto Grosso for Brass Quintet and Symphonic Band (1985)
- Credo (1974)
- Cryptic Essay (1975)
- Fanfare for Band and Antiphonal Brass (1982)
- The Final Covenant (1979)
- Introit (1983)
- Jargon (1976/1980)
- March for Tripod (1973)
- Nonet (1981)
- A Passing Fantasy (1992)
- Prelude and Double Fugue (1978)
- Reflections on Paris (1973)
- Requiem (1987)
- Rhapsody (1980)
- Saga of the Clouds
- Second Concerto for Trumpet (1972/1974)
- Sketches on a Tudor Psalm (1972)
- Studies in Motion (1975)
- Terpsichore (1969)
- Toccata (1969)
- Two Pieces from Lt. Kije (as arranger) (1934/1971)
- Variations on an Advent Hymn (1962/1973)
Resources
- Fisher Tull website Accessed 24 April 2021
- Tull, F. (1984). The Binding [score]. Boosey & Hawkes: Farmingdale, N.Y.