Ursa

From Wind Repertory Project
Libby Larsen

Libby Larsen


General Info

Year: 2010
Duration: c. 14:30
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Tuba and piano
Publisher: Libby Larsen Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - Unknown   |   Score Only (print) - $45.00


Movements

1. Sings to the night sky – 7:55
2. At high noon – 6:25


Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo Tuba
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II-III
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
Tuba
String Bass
Celeste
Timpani
Percussion III, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bongos
  • Drum Set
  • Marimba
  • Orchestra Bells
  • Sizzle Cymbal
  • Sleigh Bells
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam
  • Temple Blocks
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone
  • Water Gong
  • Wind Chimes
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Growing up in and living as I do in Minnesota, I’ve spent much of my life out of doors; running, cross country skiing, hiking, boating, and all manner of being out on the water and in the woods.

Bears are part of this world. You happen upon them and they happen upon you. Both of you are simply outside, walking around, poking your noses into things for the day. The thing is, bears are big. There is nothing else like a bear. If you happen upon a squirrel, or even a deer, you don’t think much of it. But a bear is a different matter. You stop. If they don’t run away from you, they pretty much let you be as they go on about their business. You watch them, mesmerized. You listen, and in the stillness of the woods, you discern their intricate language of huffs, grunts, snuffles, paw slaps, jaw clicks and growls. It is beautiful, haunting and completely bear. You are struck with their dignity. You are lonely for the want of living in their world if only for a moment.

Ursa, a composition in two movements, is music from the soul of the bear articulated through the tuba. The first movement imagines the bear deep in the wilderness, at night, singing to the moon. The second movement places the bear in the same wilderness but at high noon, rustling about in its habitat.

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Texas Tech University (Lubbock) Symphonic Band (Eric Allen, conductor; Kevin Wass, tuba) - 20 November 2022
  • Northern Illinois University (DeKalb) Wind Ensemble (Ronnie Wooten, conductor) – 15 November 2019
  • Blue Lake (Mich.) Fine Arts Camp Festival Band (Donald Flickinger, conductor; Jens Bjorn-Larsen, tuba)] – 15 August 2010 *Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Larsen, L. (2010). Ursa : For Tuba and Wind Symphony, 2010 [score]. Libby Larsen Publishing: Minneapolis, Minn.
  • Libby Larsen website Accessed 15 November 2019
  • Perusal score