Here We Rest

From Wind Repertory Project
Anthony Barfield

Anthony Barfield (adapted by composer)


General Info

Year: 2012
Duration: c. 8:20
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Trombone choir
Publisher: Anthony Barfield
Cost: Score and Parts (digital) - $300.00


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Wind Chimes
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Vibraphone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Adapted by the composer from his work for trombone choir, Here We Rest was dedicated to the state of Alabama in tribute to the victims of its April 2011 tornado outbreak. The title was the Alabama state motto during the Reconstruction Era.

The opening of the piece presents a series of three modally mixed chords in F that form the basis of the accompaniment of the primary theme, which is introduced by horn, bassoon, and tenor saxophone. A related melody, reminiscent of Copland, appears later in the woodwinds and trumpets. A second theme is presented by solos from horn and flute, accompanied by woodwinds on otherwise static A-flat major harmony and a descending chromatic line – a gesture that’s suggests a “lament” or, in popular music, a “line cliché” (similar to the opening of Stairway to Heaven).

A tutti restatement of the second theme ends without resolution in a developmental area. Here, earlier ideas are presented in unfamiliar harmonic settings; previous themes appear in unexpected keys and modes, and the opening chord series passes through ascending keys, skipping only the original F. The development concludes with a series of descending suspensions and resolutions before the opening themes return, first in the dorian mode a tritone away from the original (low brass), then elevated to A major (tutti). Clarinets and vibraphone mark the return of the opening chord series, now centered a half-step higher in F-sharp, and the piece ends without resolution, symbolizing the loss of the tornadoes’ 238 victims and the anguish of many more survivors.

- Program Note from University of Georgia Symphonic Band concert program, 13 April 2018


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • University of Toronto (Ont., Can.) Wind Ensemble (James Wu, conductor) - 3 February 2024
  • Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge) Symphonic Band (Weston Lewis, conductor) - 21 November 2023
  • University Miami (Fla.) Frost Symphonic Winds (Robert Carnochan, conductor) - 2 April 2023
  • Oregon State University (Corvallis) Wind Ensemble (Erik Kar Jun Leung, conductor) - 15 November 2022
  • University of Cincinnati (Ohio) College-Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony (Pearce Nitta, conductor) - 4 November 2022
  • Central Washington University (Ellensburg) Wind Ensemble (T. André Feagin, conductor) - 2 June 2022
  • OMEA District 4 & 7 Hoosier Band (Rodney Dorsey, conductor) – 13 November 2021 (OMEA All-State Conference 2021, Cleveland State University)
  • University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) Wind Ensemble (Emily Threinen, conductor) – 1 October 2021
  • University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) Concert Band (JoAnn Wieszczyk, conductor) - 29 September 2021
  • West Virginia University (Morgantown) Symphonic Band (Cheldon Williams, conductor) - 8 April 2021
  • California All-State High School Symphonic Band (Rodney Dorsey, conductor) - 23 February 2020 (2020 CASMEC Conference, Fresno)
  • University of Illinois (Champaign) Wind Symphony (unconducted) – 30 October 2019
  • CBDNA Small Band Programs Intercollegiate Band (Tempe, Ariz.) (Rodney Dorsey, conductor) – 23 February 2019 (CBDNA 2019 National Conference, Tempe, Ariz.)
  • University of North Texas (Denton) Concert Band (Nicholas E. Williams, conductor) – 20 February 2019
  • Kings County (New York) Concert Band (Jasmine Britt, conductor) – 3 June 2018
  • University of Georgia (Athens) Hodgson Symphonic Band (Brett Bawcum, conductor) - 13 April 2018
  • Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge) Symphonic Band (Kelvin Jones, conductor) – 9 November 2017
  • University of North Texas (Denton) Concert Band (Jack A. Eaddy Jr., conductor) – 8 November 2017
  • Clovis North Educational Center Wind Ensemble (Rodney Dorsey, conductor) - 21 April 2017 (2017 San Joaquin Valley (Calif.) Concert Band Invitational)
  • Clovis (Calif.) North Educational Wind Ensemble (David Lesser, conductor) - 17 February 2017 (2017 CASMEC Conference, San Jose)
  • Texas 5A Symphonic Band (Rodney Dorsey, conductor) - 11 February 2017 (2017 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Anthony Barfield website
  • The Horizon Leans Forward..., compiled and edited by Erik Kar Jun Leung, GIA Publications, 2021, p. 252.