Cantus Laetus

David Gillingham

Subtitle: Concerto for Winds and Percussion

General Info

Year: 2000
Duration: c. 15:45
Difficulty: VI(see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $150.00 | Score Only (print) - $50.00

Movements

1. Initium
2. Calamus
3. Aes
4. Ictus
5. Finis

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Piano
Harp
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

Bass Drum
Bells
Brake Drum (2)
Chimes
Crash Cymbals
Crotales
Hi-Hat
Marimba
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Tambourine
Tam-Tam
Temple Blocks
Tom-Tom (3)
Triangle
Vibraphone
Xylophone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Cantus Laetus (Joyful Noise) is a statement of praise and affirmation of life which exploits every corner of emotion through the coloristic and dramatic capabilities of the symphonic band. Three main sections feature the three families of the ensemble, Calamus (reeds/woodwinds), Aes (brass), and Ictus (percussion). In addition to its own feature, the percussion section is involved in all the other sections along with the piano and harp.

- Program Note from publisher

My affection for composing for bands, winds, and percussion over the past twenty years has, in part, been a source of inspiration for Cantus Laetus. Another source has been the encouragement I have received from colleagues and friends who have thought that I should write a definitive work exploiting the attributes of this large group of winds and percussion that we call the "band." And, finally, I have been inspired by the University of Georgia Band program under the superb leadership of Dwight Satterwhite. This work is my fourth commission for the University of Georgia Band program and I hope will not be my last.

Virtually all the melodic material for this concerto is based on one of the most famous Gregorian Hymns, Veni Creator Spiritus for the Second Vespers of Whitsunday. This chant, as well as the Easter sequence, Victimae Paschal Laudes, are two of my favorite melodies of all time. Veni Creator Spiritus is tuneful and lends itself to a variety of harmonic settings. The title, Cantus Laetus, translates to Joyful Noise, with "noise" in this case being "music." There is obvious and intended reference in the title to Psalm 100 (Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!). In fact, wind and percussion instruments are mentioned throughout the entire book of Psalms as instruments of praise. Therefore, Cantus Laetus is a statement of praise and affirmation of life which exploits every corner of emotion through the coloristic and dramatic capabilities of the symphonic band.

The work is cast in three major sections, which are framed by an introduction, Initium, and a coda, Finis. The three middle sections feature the three families of the ensemble, Calamus (reeds/woodwinds), Aes (brass), and Ictus (percussion). In addition to its own feature, the percussion section is involved in all the other sections along with the piano and harp.

- Program Note by composer

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Banda de Benicarló (Spain)

State Ratings

Michigan: Senior High AA
North Carolina: VI
Tennessee: VI

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

West Virginia University (Morgantown) Wind Symphony (Scott C. Tobias, conductor) – 24 September 2018
Illinois State University (Normal) Wind Symphony (Joseph Manfredo, conductor) – 19 February 2017
Okemos (Mich.) High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble - 2009
University of Georgia (Athens) Wind Symphony (Dwight Satterwhite, conductor) – 22 February 2001 (CBDNA 2001 National Conference, Denton, Tx.) *Premiere Performance

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Appalachian Counterpoint (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
At Morning's First Light (Flex instrumentation) (2004/2020)
Scherzo d'Espoir (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
Three Ships (Flex instrumentation) (2020)

All Wind Works

Abiquiu (2010)
Aerodynamics (2003)
America the Beautiful (as arranger) (1882/2018)
And Can It Be? (2000)
Andromeda (2019)
Angels of the Apocalypse (2013)
Apocalyptic Dreams (1995)
Appalachian Counterpoint (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
Assurance
At Evening's First Star (2019)
At Morning's First Light (2004)
At Morning's First Light (Flex instrumentation) (2004/2020)
Au Sable River Festival (2002)
Be Thou My Vision (1999)
Bells of Freedom (2002)
Beneath the Sacred Light (2015)
Bright Gleams a Beacon (2012)
Cantus Laetus (2001)
Century Variants (2009)
Concertino for Four Percussion and Wind Ensemble (1997)
Concerto for Euphonium, Winds and Percussion (2009)
Concerto for Horn and Symphonic Band (2008)
Concerto for Woodwind Quintet and Wind Ensemble (1984/2006)
Concerto No. 2 for Marimba and Wind Ensemble (2008)
Concerto for Piano, Percussion and Wind Orchestra (arr. Fisher) (2005)
Council Oak (2002)
A Crescent Still Abides (1998)
Crest of Honor (2005)
Double F Fanfare (2008)
Drums of Rwanda (2014)
The Echo Never Fades (2004)
Finale, from All Hail the Power
Fire Up
Foster's America (as arranger) (2003)
Foundations (2017)
Galactic Empires (1998)
Glorified (2010)
Heroes, Lost and Fallen (1990)
Homage (2012)
Home Again (2016)
Internal Combustion (1999)
Intrada Jubilante (1979/1999)
Jeju Memoir (2019)
Joyau (2019)
Keep Silence (2004)
Kentucky Home (2012)
A Light Unto the Darkness (1997/1998)
Lucid Dreams (2011)
Mansions of Glory (2007)
New Century Dawn (1999)
No Shadow of Turning (2005)
Point of Reckoning (arr. Daughtrey) (2015)
Providence (2003)
Quintessence I (1997)
Quintessence II (2006)
Radiant Moonbeams (2007)
Rising Star
Sails of Time (2006)
Scherzo d'Espoir (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
Serenade for Winds and Percussion (2000)
Set the World on Fire (2023)
Seven Bagatelles (2014)
Song Shall Never End, The (2014)
Sub-Saharan Rhythm (1998)
Symphony No. 2 (2007)
Three Ships (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
Vintage (1990)
Vital Signs of Planet Earth (2015)
Waking Angels (1997)
When Speaks the Signal Trumpet Tone (1999)
While the Dew Is Still on the Roses (2013)
With Heart and Voice (2000)

Resources

Gillingham, D. (2001). Cantus Laetus = (Joyful Noise) : Concerto for Winds & Percussion [score]. C. Alan Publications: Greensboro, N.C.
Lourens, Alan. Cantus Laetus. MBM Times, Issue 6 (2012), 73.