Godzilla Eats Las Vegas
From Wind Repertory Project
Contents |
General Info
Year: 1996
Duration: c. 12:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Carpe Ranam, distributed by Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts - $175.00 | Score - $60.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Soprano Clarinet in Bb I-II-III
Bass Clarinet I-II
Bassoon I-II
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet (in Bb) I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Amplified Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:
- Bass Drum
- Bells
- Bongos
- Chimes
- Claves
- Concert Tom (1)
- Cowbell
- Cymbals (crash, splash, and suspended)
- Flexatone
- Glass/Garbage Cans
- Gong
- Lion's Roar
- Marching Machine
- Marching Whistle
- Mark Tree
- Ratchet
- Snare Drum
- Tambourine
- Tam-tam
- Timbales
- Triangle
- Vibraphone
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
It took me seven years to get my bachelor's degree from UNLV, and by the time I graduated I was ready to eat Las Vegas.
Tom Leslie asked me to write another piece for the group as I was leaving, and I thought it would be a blast to do something completely ridiculous. The players are called upon to scream in terror, dress like Elvises (Elvi), and play in about thirty different styles from mambo to cheesy lounge music. The audience follows a 'script' that I wrote simulating a campy, over the top Godzilla movie (is there any other kind?).
I wrote the bulk of the piece while in my first year at Juilliard, and no kidding, I used to act out the script every morning devouring animal crackers, wreaking havoc all over the breakfast table. The 'script' was originally twice as long, and had an entire subplot devoted to a young scientist and his love interest. As I started to finish the piece, however, it didn't seem that funny and that story (along with an extended Elvis tribute) ended up on the cutting room floor.
The idea that this piece is being played all over the world in such serious concert venues is the single funniest thing I have ever heard. It has been played on the steps of the Capitol by the United States Marine Band, by the Scottish National Wind Symphony (they play in kilts, so help me God), and I have a video of a Japanese audience visibly confused and shaken by the whole experience. Can you imagine? I'm laughing my head off even as I write this!
Godzilla Eats Las Vegas! was commissioned by the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Thomas G. Leslie, conductor, and received its premiere November 28th, 1996.
Program Note by Eric Whitacre
Commercial Discography
None discovered thus far.
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Recent Performances
(To add performances, please join the WRP by contacting the webmaster)
Additional Works for Winds by this Composer
- Cloudburst (1991/ tr. 2001)
- Equus (2000)
- Ghost Train (1995)
- Lux Aurumque (2005)
- Noisy Wheels of joy (2002)
- October (2000)
- Sleep (2000)
Additional Resources
