Breathless
Subtitle: For Three Solo Flutes and Wind Ensemble
General Info
Year: 2023
Duration: c. 4:45
Difficulty: VI (solo); IV (ensemble) (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Murphy Music Press
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $145.00 | Score Only (print) - $30.00
Instrumentation
- Full Score
- Solo Flute I-II-III
- C Piccolo (optional)
- Flute I-II (optional)
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
- B-flat Bass Clarinet
- E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
- B-flat Tenor Saxophone
- E-flat Baritone Saxophone
- B-flat Trumpet I-II
- Horn in F I-II
- Trombone I-II
- Bass Trombone
- Tuba
- Contra-Bass (optional)
- Timpani
- Percussion I-VI, including:
- *Bass Drum
- *Crash Cymbals
- *Glockenspiel
- *Snare Drum
- *Suspended Cymbal
- *Triangle
- *Vibraphone
- *Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
There are some things in life that can take our breath away, like a beautiful view from atop a mountain, or a thrilling ride in a massive rollercoaster. We seek experiences where life exceeds our expectations and delivers transcendence, pushing us towards the edge of what is possible. The title, Breathless, also refers to the airy nature of the flute. Frequently using the "jet whistle" effect, which imitates the sound of a jet taking off, as well as rapid arpeggios and very tight coordination between the three solo parts, the relentless pace and extreme agility of the flute trio in this piece is designed to take our breath away. This piece is like a ride on a rollercoaster, with quick shifts of tonality and surprise sharp turns. The two themes, one march-like and the other lyrical, are presented in fragments, rapidly alternating between the ensemble and the solo trio to create an adrenaline rush for those performing and those listening.
Breathless was commissioned by the Prairie Ridge High School Bands, directed by Marykate Kuhne, for Rachel Soukup, Alexandra Adrowski, and Ellie Scherrer. After forming a friendship in 6th grade, they have performed together in chamber groups, concert bands, athletic bands, honors band festivals, and RAE trio. This music journey is humbling when paired with the intensity of academia and the reality of a pandemic affecting two years of their high school career. Thank you to Rachel, Alex and Ellie for your kindness, passion, dedication, and contributions to our community.
- Program Note from publisher
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Prairie Ridge High School (Crystal Lake, Ill.) Bands (Marykate Kuhne, conductor) – 4 May 2023 *Premiere Performance*
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- All Aboard the Hoodlebug. See: Ghost Town Triptych
- Buena Vista Furnace. See: Ghost Town Triptych
- December Lullaby (Flex instrumentation) (2017/2020)
- Ghost Town Triptych (Flex instrumentation) (2021)
- All Aboard the Hoodlebug (Flex instrumentation) (2021)
- Laurel Run (Flex instrumentation) (2021)
- Buena Vista Furnace (Flex instrumentation) (2021)
- Interstellar Tarantella (Flex instrumentation) (2019/2020)
- Laurel Run. See: Ghost Town Triptych
- Mare Tranquillitatis (Octet) (Flex instrumentation) (2012/2020)
- Meditation on Amen (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2020)
- Three Ostinatos (Flex instrumentation) (2015/2020)
- Water Bear Jig (Flex instrumentation) (2017/2020)
All Wind Works
- Aerodynamics (2010)
- Awakening (2023)
- Bennu's Fire
- Biomimicry (2019)
- Breathless (2023)
- December Lullaby (2017)
- December Lullaby (Flex instrumentation) (2017/2020)
- Ghost Town Triptych (Flex instrumentation) (2021)
- All Aboard the Hoodlebug (Flex instrumentation) (2021)
- Laurel Run (Flex instrumentation) (2021)
- Buena Vista Furnace (Flex instrumentation) (2021)
- Hydrostatics (2020)
- Interstellar Tarantella (2019)
- Interstellar Tarantella (Flex instrumentation) (2019/2020)
- Lift-Off (2015)
- Little Jig (2017)
- Mare Tranquillitatis (2007/2012)
- Mare Tranquillitatis (Octet) (Flex instrumentation) (2007/2012/2020)
- Mare Tranquillitatis (Saxophone octet) (2007/2012)
- Meditation on Amen (2018)
- Meditation on Amen (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2020)
- Ocean of Undiscovered Truth (2019)
- Pastorale (2021)
- Tangents (2014)
- Three Ostinatos (2015)
- Three Ostinatos (Flex instrumentation) (2015/2020)
- Water Bear Jig (2017)
- Water Bear Jig (Flex instrumentation) (2017/2020)
- We Choose to Go to the Moon (2020)
Resources
- Perusal score
- Roger Zare website Accessed 28 August 2023
- Zare, R. (2023). Breathless: For Three Solo Flutes and Wind Ensemble [score]. Roger Zare Music: Avon, Ohio.