Flowing Pens from Concord
General Info
Year: 2013
Duration: c. 14:30
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: LudwigMasters
Cost: Score and Parts - $150.00 | Score Only - $30.00
Movements
1. Mosses from an Old Manse (Nathanial Hawthorne) - 4:45
2. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott) - 2:44
3. Walden (Henry David Thoreau) - 4:25
4. Nature (Ralph Waldo Emerson) - 2:40
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
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-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:
- Bar Chimes
- Bass Drum
- Chimes
- Cowbell
- Crash Cymbals
- Field Drum
- Finger Cymbals
- Marimba
- Orchestra Chimes
- Sleigh Bells
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
- Tambourine
- Tam-Tam
- Temple Blocks
- Tom-Tom (4)
- Triangle
- Vibraphone
- Vibra-slap
- Wind Chimes
- Wood Block
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Commissioned by the Concord Band (Mass.) in celebration of its fiftieth season, this creative four-movement work was inspired by the literary work of great American authors who lived in the Concord area. The movement titled Mosses from an Old Manse, featuring a solemn horn solo at the beginning and flowing lines throughout, reflects the iconic building and its beautiful surroundings, as well as the writings and philosophies of Nathaniel Hawthorne. The animated movement Little Women, celebrating the work of Louisa May Alcott, is playful and light-hearted with changing meters and unpredictable textures. The serene movement Walden is slow and reflective, representing Henry David Thoreau’s attempts to simplify his life and connect with nature by living at Walden Pond. Included in this movement is a beautiful flute solo. The spirited movement Nature, inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s philosophy of nature, includes energetic rhythms, woodwind flourishes, and a piccolo solo.
Creatively scored with interesting lines for each section and well-conceived percussion writing, the composition provides a wonderful opportunity for a collaboration with an American literature class.
-Program Note from The Instrumentalist, May 2014
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- The Concord Band (Mass.) (James O'Dell, conductor) - 14 March 2009 - World Premiere
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Amazing Grace (as arranger) (1779/2014)
- American Band Salute (2009?)
- and make a joyous sound
- Breakthrough (1994/2000)
- Bugs (2000)
- Colours (1997)
- Divertimento for Winds and Percussion (1994)
- El Caballero (2000)
- Emblazoned Joy (2019/2021)
- Fanfare for a Festive Day (1996)
- Festival!
- First Flights
- Flowing Pens from Concord (2013)
- For Purple Mountain Majesties (2005)
- Galilean Moons (1996)
- Geometric Dances (2007)
- God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (as arranger) (2022)
- The Golden Baton March
- Hats Off (2016)
- In Exuberant Celebration (2009)
- Interpretations
- Maestro
- New Millennium, Different World, New Beginnings (2004)
- Pandemonium (2006)
- Quartets (2006/2012)
- Rachmaninoff Prelude (as arranger)
- Silhouette
- Sounds, Sketches, and Ideas (2002)
- T. Rex
- We Walked with Heads Held High (2006)
- Windsicle (2006)
- Wisconsin Soundscapes
- Wizards
Resources
- Pilato, Nikk. "Flowing Pens from Concord." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 10, Compiled and edited by Richard Miles, 743-751. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2015.