Distant Land
John Rutter (arr. Paul Noble)
Subtitle: Prayer for Freedom
General Info
Year: 1991 / 2000 / 2012
Duration: c. 6:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Choir
Publisher: bandmusicpdf.net
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $70.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
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-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Harp (optional)
Timpani
Chorus (optional)
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Distant Land was originally written in 1991 as a choral piece inspired by the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. Rutter was encouraged to make a purely orchestral version, from which this band arrangement has been adapted. Distant Land will surely become a tribute to the life of Nelson Mandela, who was a leader of the anti-apartheid movement who eventually became South Africa's first black president to be elected in a fully democratic election.
Rutter says, "Listeners who know the original version may miss the texts; but looking at it another way, your imagination can be set free with no words to constrain you and tell you what the music is about."
- Program Note from publisher
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- United States Coast Guard Band (New London, Conn.) (Adam Williamson, conductor) - 16 January 2022
- San Antonio (Tex.) Youth Wind Ensemble – 16 February 2014
Works for Winds by This Composer
- All Things Bright and Beautiful (arr. Vertrommen) (2009)
- As the Bridegroom to His Chosen (arr. Vertrommen) (2008)
- Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella (as arranger) (1981)
- Candlelight Carol (arr. Dawson) (1984)
- Distant Land (arr. Noble) (1991/2002/2012)
- Feel the Spirit (arr. Noble) (2001/2015)
- For the Beauty of the Earth (arr. Vertrommen) (2010)
- For the Beauty of the Earth (arr. Dawson) (2009)
- Gloria (1976)
- Gloria (arr. Noble) (1976/2015)
- Gloria (arr. Sylvester) (1976/)
- A John Rutter Christmas I (arr. Noble) (2013)
- Magical Kingdom (arr. Noble) (2004/2015)
- Nativity Carol (arr. Musgrave) (1963/1967/2013)
- Shepherd's Pipe Carol (arr. Noble) (1966/2012)
- Star Carol (arr. Noble) (1972/2012)
- Three American Miniatures (1981)
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas (as arranger) (1981)
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas (as arranger, with Noble) (1985/2014)
- What Sweeter Music (arr. Vertrommen) (1988/2010)
- What Sweeter Music (arr. Noble) (1988/2012)
Resources
- John Rutter website Accessed 15 June 2020