Green Diamond

Steve Danyew

General Info

Year: 2018
Duration: c. 6:40
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Steve Danyew
Cost: Score and Parts - $179.99 | Score Only - $45.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II-III
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone I
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:

Bass Drum
Bell Tree
Bongos
Chimes
Claves
Conga
Glockenspiel
Marimba
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Tambourine
Tam-Tam
Tenor Drums
Triangle
Vibraphone
Woodblocks (High/Low)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Green Diamond is the second piece in the Magnolia Star Trilogy, a group of pieces inspired by the blues scale and the American railroad. The first piece in the series, Magnolia Star, was written in 2012.

Green Diamond uses the blues scale as a key influence, but a new element is added as well: the minor/major chord (C,Eb,G,B,D). These two sound worlds (the blues scale and the minor/major chord) are used to generate harmonic and melodic material that alternate, compete, and combine throughout the piece. Like Magnolia Star, the influence of the American railroad provides sounds that are fast, driving, and exciting. Green Diamond also features an off-stage alto saxophonist who provides somewhat distant, jazzy reminders of the blues scale, offering an answer Green Diamond’s preoccupation with the minor/major chord.

Green Diamond, like Magnolia Star, was the name of a train that ran in the early 20th century as part of the Illinois Central Railroad.

- Program Note by composer

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Castle High School Wind Ensemble

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Northwest Missouri State University (Maryville) Wind Symphony (John Bell, conductor) – 22 November 2019 (Nebraska Music Educators Association Conference/In-Service)
James B. Castle High School (Kaneohe, Hi.) Wind Ensemble - 10 May 2019

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Canon Fanfare (Flex instrumentation) (2021)
The Lost City of Tryon (Flex instrumentation) (2021)
Three Fugues by J.S. Bach (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1722/2020)
- Fugue No. 2 (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1722/2020)
- Fugue No. 16 (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1722/2020)
- Fugue No. 23 (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1722/2020)
Three Spirituals (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1722/2020)
- Down by the Riverside (Flex instrumentation) (as adapter; arr. Burleigh) (1922/2020)
- Deep River (Flex instrumentation) (as adapter; arr. Burleigh) (1917/2020)
- I Want to Be Ready (Flex instrumentation) (as adapter; arr. Burleigh) (1917/2020)
Three Tallis Melodies (Adaptable Band) (as arranger) (2020)

All Wind Works

Adagietto (2014)
Alcott Songs (2015)
Amazing Grace (2020)
American Nocturne (2021)
Canon Fanfare (Flex instrumentation) (2021)
Distant Moons
Entrata (2019)
Festival Music (2020)
Flash Back
For This Brave New Day (2020)
Fugue No. 2 (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1722/2020)
Fugue No. 16 (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1722/2020)
Fugue No. 23 (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1722/2020)
Goodnight, Goodnight (2010)
Green Diamond (2018)
An Hour of Hallowed Peace (2016/2019)
Into the Silent Land (2018)
Journeys
Lamentation for Euphonium and Wind Ensemble (2019)
Lauda (2009)
The Lost City of Tryon (Flex instrumentation) (2021)
Magnolia Star (2012)
Montis Dei. See: Lauda
Mountainscape (2012)
River Town Jubilee (2015)
The Star-Spangled Banner (as arranger) (1814/2011)
This World Alive (2013)
Three Fugues by J.S. Bach (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1722/2020)
- Fugue No. 2 (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1722/2020)
- Fugue No. 16 (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1722/2020)
- Fugue No. 23 (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1722/2020)
Three Scenes from Home (2017)
Three Spirituals (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1722/2020)
- Down by the Riverside (Flex instrumentation) (as adapter; arr. Burleigh) (1922/2020)
- Deep River (Flex instrumentation) (as adapter; arr. Burleigh) (1917/2020)
- I Want to Be Ready (Flex instrumentation) (as adapter; arr. Burleigh) (1917/2020)
Third Mode Melody (2020)
Three Tallis Melodies (Adaptable Band) (as arranger) (2020)
Vermont State Fair (2015)
Winter Song (2018)

Resources