Ra
From Wind Repertory Project
David Dzubay (transcribed by the composer)
Contents |
General Info
Year: 1997 / 2002
Duration: c. 5:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: ProNovaMusic
Cost: Score and Parts - $175.00 | Score Only - $35.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Bb Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
Bb Bass Clarinet
Bb Contra Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone I-II
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet (in C or Bb) I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium I-II
Tuba I-II
String Bass (opt.)
Harp (Opt.)
Piano (Opt.)
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V-VI, including:
- Bass Drum
- Cowbell
- Crotales
- Cymbals (small, medium, and large suspended)
- Glockenspiel
- Gong (Tam-tam) (3 graduated)
- Marimba
- Roto-Toms (5)
- Splash Cymbal
- Tom-Toms (4)
- Triangle (3 graduated)
- Vibraphone
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
The sun god Ra was the most important god of the ancient Egyptians. Born anew each day, Ra journeyed across the sky in a boat crewed by many other gods. During the day Ra would do battle with his chief enemy, a serpent named Apep, usually emerging victorious, though on stormy days or during an eclipse, the Egyptians believed that Apep had won and swallowed the sun.
Ra! is a rather aggressive depiction of an imagined ritual of sun worship, perhaps celebrating the daily battles of Ra and Apep. There are four ideas presented in the movement: 1) a "skin dance" featuring the timpani and other percussion, 2) a declarative, unison melodic line, 3) a layered texture of pulses, and 4) sun bursts and shines. The movement alternates abruptly between these ideas, as if following the precise dictates of a grand ceremony.
Program Note by David Dzubay
Commercial Discography
None discovered thus far.
Audio Links
State Ratings
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Recent Performances
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Additional Works for Winds by this Composer
Additional Resources
None discovered thus far.
