Solemn Prelude
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General Info
Year: 1950
Duration: c. 5:00
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Associated Music Publishers
Cost: Score and Parts – Out of print.
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute I-II-III
Oboe I-II-III
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-VI
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III-IV
Euphonium I-II
Tuba I-II
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III
(percussion detail desired)
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Solemn Prelude was commissioned by Donald Moore at Baylor University and premiered in 1949. Kay says he set out to create, 'symphonic expression using quite simple musical materials.' Kay was famously modest and he is being so here. The opening melody with its modal accompaniment is simple sounding (and lovely), but the piece becomes considerably more intricate in its bitonal climactic passages and in the transparently scored final minutes.
- Program Note from liner notes of Citadel CD Out of the Depths
Media
State Ratings
- Maryland: IV
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Ithaca (N.Y.) College Wind Ensemble (Daniel Cook, conductor) - 6 December 2023
- Eastman School of Music (Rochester, N.Y.) Wind Orchestra (Mark Scatterday, conductor) - 22 February 2023
- Northshore Concert Band (Evanston, Ill.) (Mallory Thompson, conductor) - 6 November 2022
- Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Mallory Thompson, conductor) – 22 October 2021
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Concert Sketches (1965)
- Forever Free (1962/1975)
- Four Silhouettes (1973)
- Prologue and Parade (1978)
- Short Suite for Concert Band (1957)
- Solemn Prelude (1950)
- Trigon (1979)
Resources
- Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music. "Ulysses S. Kay." Accessed 7 May 2022
- Kay, U. (1950). Solemn Prelude for Concert Band [score]. Associated Music Publishers: New York, N.Y.
- Kizer, Tremon B. "The original wind band music of Ulysses Kay: a conductor’s guide." 2010. University of South Carolina, DMA dissertation.