Genome

From Wind Repertory Project
Composer Name

Ryan Fraley


Subtitle: Symphony No. 1


General Info

Year: 2005
Duration: c. 28:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Ryan Fraley
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown


Movements

1. Fanfare
2. Scherzo
3. Adagio
4. Intermezzo
5. Finale


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Egg Shaker
  • Gong
  • Marimba
  • Sandpaper Blocks
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Tibetan Singing Bowl
  • Tom-Tom, large (3)
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone
  • Wind Chimes
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

According to a statement released by Ball State University, the themes of Ryan Fraley's symphony are based on actual strands of DNA, with different notes assigned to different aspects of the genome.

"The fact that these data represent the code for life itself appeal to the artist as well as the scientist," Fraley, a Ball State alumnus, said. "I started at random points on each chromosome, encoding musical pitches until enough thematic material existed. Because much of the material was too random to make melodic sense, I ended up encoding about four times more sequences than needed. Allowing myself the freedom to pick and choose good data, I was able to use sequences that naturally applied a harmonic structure."

The work requires, in addition to the wind ensemble, a piano, harp, and Tibetan singing bowl.

Joseph Scagnoli, the wind ensemble's conductor, commissioned the work from Fraley. "Few composers are able to write a piece at this level," he said. "It is stretching the ability of our musicians, but they're willing to put in the extra effort because they sense that this is a visionary symphony."

- Program Note from Playbill


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)



State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Ball State University (Muncie, Ind.) Symphony Band (Caroline Hand, conductor) – 29 September 2017
  • Ball State University (Muncie, Ind.) Wind Ensemble (Joseph Cagnoli, conductor) – 20 April 2005 *Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources