Foster's America
From Wind Repertory Project
Contents |
General Info
Year: 2003
Duration: c. 10:00
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Cost: Score and Parts - $95.00 | Score - $25.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
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
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:
- Bass Drum
- Brake Drum
- Cowbell
- Cymbals (crash, hi-hat, and suspended)
- Glockenspiel
- Marimba
- Snare Drum
- Tam-Tam (large)
- Tom-Toms
- Temple Blocks
- Vibraphone
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Foster's America is a three-movement suite featuring four original songs by American composer Stephen C. Foster (1826-1864). Two of the songs are not well known, but certainly bear the characteristics of Foster's melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic style. The first movement features the song "A Penny for your Thoughts." It is cast in a sort of "march-like" style and featureschamber scoring that is reminiscent of banjo or guitar accompaniments which were popular in Foster's day.
The second movement, "Beautiful Dreamer," should be familiar to many. To capture the "dreamy" atmosphere, the movement begins with an introduction in E-flat minor with a flute and clarinet solo in dialogue using motives from the song accompanied by a texture of vibraphone, bells, and marimba to enhance the ambiance. E-flat minor succumbs to E-flat major and the song unfolds. However, there is a rhythmical/metrical twist to the presentation in that the melody employs three quarter notes followed by two dotted halves against a consistent pattern of eighths in 6/8 ,eter instead of the consistent eighth notes of the original version in in 9/8 meter. The movement works its way to a climax of the tune in 3/4 meter and ends as dreamily as it began.
The third movement casts two songs, "If You've Only Got a Moustache" and "Gentle Lena Clare." The former is a sort of a novelty song and is treated in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, while the latter is treated with expressive sweetness as a contrast to the first. Both tunes join together (not quite exactly) followed by a rousing coda.
Program Note by David R. Gillingham
Commercial Discography
None discovered thus far.
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Recent Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- University of Georgia Concert Winds (Nikk Pilato, conductor) - 16 February 2009
Additional Works for Winds by this Composer
- Apocalyptic Dreams (1995)
- Be Thou My Vision (1999)
- Cantus Laetus (2000)
- Concertino for Four Percussion and Wind Ensemble (1997)
- Concerto for Marimba and Wind Ensemble (2006)
- Concerto for Piano, Percussion and Wind Orchestra (2004)
- Council Oak (2001)
- Echo Never Fades, The (2004)
- Galactic Empires (1998)
- Heroes Lost and Fallen (1990)
- Internal Combustion (1999)
- Light Unto the Darkness, A (1997)
- Quintessence I (1997)
- Quintessence II (2006)
- Serenade for Winds and Percussion (1990)
- Sub-Saharan Rhythm (1998)
- Waking Angels (1996)
- When Speaks the Signal-trumpet Tone (1999)
- With Heart and Voice (2000)
Additional Resources
