Elegy for a Ghost Town
From Wind Repertory Project
Contents |
General Info
Year: 2006
Duration: c. 8:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Jason Nitsch
Cost: Score and Parts - $75.00 | Score - $10.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
Bb Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
Bb Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone I-II
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet (in Bb) I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:
- Anvil
- Bass Drum
- Concert Toms
- Cymbals (crash and suspended)
- Glockenspiel
- Marimba
- Ocean Drum
- Rainstick
- Snare Drum
- Tambourine
- Tam-Tam
- Triangle
- Tubular Bells
- Vibraphone
- Water Gong
- Wind Chimes
- Woodblock
- Tam-Tam
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
It was my original intent to write a piece celebrating the lifestyle of the old west that was experienced in these modern day ghost towns. During my research I discovered a great deal about the abandoned sites located throughout Colorado. I quickly realized that many of these places have a very sordid past and many unpleasant experiences often greeted their residents. Many labor and land disputes, supply shortages, harsh winter storms, and industrial accidents and disasters checker the past of these abandoned sites. I then turned my attention to this somewhat darker side of the ghost town and, while still paying tribute to the glory days of the past, also reflected upon circumstances that led to their abandonment.
The piece opens with a simple flute solo accompanied by sounds of nature. Most towns were founded on or near a water source, usually a stream or river, so the sounds of water are often implied throughout the piece. Many of the old buildings are still standing in these places, but are in horrible disrepair. Several pictures show buildings collapsing in on themselves, or sliding down a hillside. In measures 8 and 9 a house creeks and falls before our eyes. It slowly settles before returning to the solo and the sounds of nature.
Melodic fragments and other transitional material take us to the first statement of the melody at measure 39. Measure 52 is what I refer to as the “walking music” symbolic of the long walk to the mine or the mill, wherever the work was to be done. An oboe solo returns to reflect on the simple life of work, survival, and family.
In those days many of the local mines and mills were run by big corporations. Any trouble from one of these outposts would be dealt with harshly. Many corporations had squads of enforcers who would be sent to intimidate the workers back into line. Many groups of workers did not go quietly. Although not indicative of any particular incident, the section beginning at measure 71 is the struggle between the mighty hand of big industry and the working men.
The final section reflects on the good and the bad as the townsfolk pack up to leave their homes for greener pastures. Measure 123 is the final look back at the place they had once called home, rejoicing of the past and anticipating the future. The piece ends as it began, with the sounds of the Earth just as it had been before they came.
Elegy for a Ghost Town was completed July 1, 2006 in Castle Rock, Colorado where I do my best summer writing!
Program Note by Jason Nitsch
Commercial Discography
None discovered thus far.
Audio Links
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Recent Performances
- Mesa State Wind Symphony (Dr. Calvin Hofer, conductor) - December 2006
Additional Works for Winds by this Composer
- American Visions (2006)
- An American Hymn (2004)
- Baylor University Fanfare (2000)
- Beyond the Stars (2003)
- Catching a Summer Breeze (2006)
- Casu Consulto (2008)
- Concerto No. 2 for Marimba (and wind ensemble) (2003)
- Curse of El Rojo Grande, The (2007)
- Cycle of Opposites, The (2008)
- Dance of Fire (2006)
- Dynasty (2005)
- Eternal Pursuit, The (2002)
- Fanfare for Brass Choir (1999)
- Ferris Wheel (2004)
- Haunted Palace, The (2002)
- Improbable Journey, The (2008)
- In the Bleak Mid-winter (2001)
- Legacy (2006)
- Overture for Band - "Influences" (2001)
- Phantoms for Brass Choir (2000)
- Pictures for the American People (2002)
- Santorini: Dance of the Gods (2006)
- Tempest After Noon (2002)
Additional Resources
