Horror Vacui

Andrew David Perkins

General Info

Year: 2020
Duration: c. 9:15
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Andrew David Perkins
Cost: Score and Parts – Available 2022

Instrumentation

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

Bass Drum
Chimes
Claves
Crash Cymbals
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Tambourine
Tam-tam
Triangle
Vibraphone
Waterphone
Whip
Wind Chimes

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The Latin horror vacui (fear of empty spaces) or kenophobia (from the Greek for ‘fear of the empty’) is a concept that has been expressed in visual art as the filling of the entire surface of a space or a work with detail. In physics, horror vacui reflects Aristotle’s idea that nature abhors a vacuum. The expression of extreme detail and ornamentation is present throughout history, transcending culture and medium.

Horror Vacui for concert band interprets the concept both literally and conceptually: with dense, busy orchestration, and as a metaphor for the fear of isolation and death. Stylistically, the work alludes to the many classic sci-fi and horror film scores of midcentury American cinema, the subjects of which were often aliens, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, monsters, zombies, and demons. The melodramatic and absurd aesthetic of these films made them both terrifying, yet comical, giving the audience an experience that was both horrific and laughable. Trick or treat.

- Program Note from score

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Arkansas State University (Jonesboro) Wind Ensemble (Timothy Oliver, conductor) - 19 October 2021
Ensemble and conductor unknown – June 2021 *Premiere Performance*

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Noble Gases (Flex instrumentation) (2017/2020)

All Wind Works

Alcatraz (2014)
Asylum (2017)
Clutch. (2019)
Conspiracy Theories (2016)
Gradients (2017)
Horror Vacui (2020)
Noble Gases (Flex instrumentation) (2017/2020)
On Shoulders of Giants (2021)
Prayers in Villefranche (2016)
The Raptor Rides the Whale (2018)
Southeast by Northwest (2016)
Trip the Light Fantastic (2015)
Tuebor (2020)
Until the Night Collapses (2018)
Vox Nostra (2022)

Resources

Andrew David Perkins website Accessed 20 August 2018
Perusal score