Lark in the Clear Air, The

From Wind Repertory Project
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Clifton Taylor

Traditional, setting by Clifton Taylor


General Info

Year: 2011
Duration: c. 3:50
Difficulty: III +(see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Grand Mesa Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $50.00   |   Score Only - $8.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra Alto Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III (opt. flugelhorn solo)
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bells
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Triangle


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This setting of The Lark in the Clear Air was written for the Mississippi State University Wind Ensemble for their May 2008 concert tour of Ireland and England. The melody is the traditional Irish folk tune Caisleán U, Neil. It was collected by Lady Ferguson in the west of Ireland, and appears in the book A Song For Ireland by Mary O’Hara.

- Program Note by Cal State Los Angeles Wind Ensemble


The associated lyrics are attributed to Sir Samuel Ferguson of Belfast, circa 1850:

Dear thoughts are in my mind
And my soul soars enchanted,
As I hear the sweet lark sing
In the clear air of the day.
For a tender beaming smile
To my hope has been granted,
And tomorrow she shall hear
All my fond heart would say.

I shall tell her all my love,
All my soul's adoration,
And I think she will hear
And will not say me nay.
It is this that gives my soul
All its joyous elation,
As I hear the sweet lark song
In the clear air of the day.

In this, his first published work, Mississippi composer Taylor has created an expressive masterpiece for band. Based on a traditional Irish folk song, an extended bird-like flute solo is used to introduce and decorate the main melody, first presented in solo flugelhorn. After a series of intriguing, well-scored episodes, the work climaxes in a powerful tutti statement.

- Program Note from publisher


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

None discovered thus far.