Vertical Planes

From Wind Repertory Project
Mark E. Wolfram

Mark Wolfram


Subtitle: For Brass Quartet and Concert Band


General Info

Year: 2016
Duration: c. 10:20
Difficulty: VI (quartet) / V (ensemble) (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Sound Studio Publications
Cost: Score and Parts - $115.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo B-flat Trumpet
Solo Horn in F
Solo Trombone
Solo Tuba
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra Alto Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Orchestra Bells
  • Snare Drum
  • Tambourine
  • Tubular Chimes
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Vertical Planes (for Brass Quartet and Concert Band) by Mark Wolfram is an original composition for brass quartet (B-flat trumpet, French horn, trombone and tuba) and large concert band. The work is an opportunity for applied brass faculty (and/or outstanding applied brass students) to be featured with a university wind symphony, community band or superior high school band.

The music explores many planes: planes of existence, planes of geometry, planes in the air -- vertical planes, rocketing off to new worlds, future planes, new experiences and limitless possibilities. Although not meant to be a programmatic work, multiple compositional techniques are employed to represent parallel universes, unseen phenomena (gamma rays, x-rays, etc.) and the vastness of space -- both inner and outer. The work highlights angular melodies, colorful sonorities, heterophony, time signature changes, tertian, quartal and serial composition in an exciting blend which is both intellectually satisfying and aesthetically pleasing.

Vertical Planes gives the brass quartet an opportunity to display technical prowess, small ensemble “tightness” and impeccable pitch -- all housed in a vehicle which gives each member of the quartet plenty of step-out solo lines and affords the opportunity to recruit by example. Many performance techniques are in the work, giving the conductor the opportunity to teach and perfect the use of precise articulations, multiple time signatures, tempo changes, octave and unison tuning, blended sounds, aligned ensemble passages, and multiple compositional techniques. In addition to the conductor having the opportunity to explain these many disciplines to the band in rehearsal, the audience will enjoy an exciting concert-going experience with expert soloists performing.

The work was commissioned by Dr. David M. Booth and the Wright State University Wind Symphony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the university. They premiered it on February 2nd, 2017, at the Ohio Music Education Association annual conference in Cleveland, Ohio. The university applied brass faculty (Daniel Zehringer, trumpet; Jonas Thoms, horn; Gretchen McNamara, trombone; and Thomas Lukowicz-tuba) were the featured brass quartet.

- Program Note from publisher


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Wright State University (Dayton, Ohio) Symphonic Winds (David Booth, conductor; faculty soloists) - 2 February 2017 *Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources