Songs of Love and Life

From Wind Repertory Project
Frank Ticheli

Frank Ticheli


Subtitle: For Soprano and Small Wind Ensemble


General Info

Year: 2012
Duration:c. 23:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Manhattan Beach Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $425 (Rental)   |   Score Only - $95.00


Movements

1. Swinging into the Night – 6:30
2. First Lesson - 6:00
3. Prayer for a Marriage – 5:00
4. Winter: Tonight: Sunset – 5:30


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet
Horn in F
Trombone
String Bass
Piano
Harp
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Crotales
  • Glockenspiel
  • Marimba
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone

Solo Soprano


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Songs of Love and Life was commissioned jointly by the Alpha Iota Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and the University of Colorado at Boulder Department of Bands in honor of conductor Allan McMurray.

The poems chosen for Songs of Love and Life —all written by contemporary American poets—were discovered slowly, after a painstakingly long and careful search. Indeed, the only poem I had decided upon when I began composing the work was Leland Kinsey’s Swinging into the Night with its beautiful depiction of a boy being pushed on a swing by an exhausted but grateful parent. After several more weeks of searching, I stumbled upon two more stunningly powerful poems that further strengthened the themes of love and life—Philip Booth’s delicate First Lesson, about a daughter being taught to trust, and Steve Scafidi’s touching and witty Prayer for Marriage. But it took yet another two months to find the poem that would end the song cycle. David Budbill’s vivid depiction of a man at the beginning of his old age—expressing nothing more than simple gratitude for being alive—struck me like a thunderbolt. I knew I’d found the perfect poem for my finale.

I am grateful to all four poets, whose words sustained and inspired me throughout the creative process. I am also grateful for the opportunity to compose Songs of Love and Life as a symbol of my enduring friendship with Allan and his wife, Judy.

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • University of Southern California (Los Angeles) Thornton Wind Ensemble (Allan McMurray, conductor; Michaela Kelly, soprano) - 28 October 2022
  • New England Conservatory (Boston, Mass.) Wind Ensemble (Charles Peltz, conductor) - 17 February 2022
  • United States Coast Guard Band (New London, Conn.) (Adam Williamson, conductor) – 12 March 2016 (CBDNA 2016 Eastern Division Conference, New London, Conn.)
  • University of Miami (Fla.) Frost Wind Ensemble (Robert Carnochan, conductor; Esther Jane Hardenbergh, soprano) – 2 November 2015


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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