Ascension, The
This work is the third movement of the composer's Symphony No. 1, The Divine Comedy.
General Info
Year: 1994
Duration: c. 6:05
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Music Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $87.00; (digital) - $87.00 | Score Only (print) - $15.00; (digital) - $9.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
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
Euphonium
Tuba
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:
- Bass Drum
- Bells
- Chimes
- Congas (2)
- Crash Cymbals (2 pairs)
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
- Tam-tam
- Tambourine
- Tom-toms (2)
- Triangle
- Vibraphone (2 players; 2 bows required)
- Water-Filled Crystal (pitched in C)
- Wind Chimes
Players chanting
Errata
In Parts:
- Percussion I, m.6: Add a 4/4 bar
In Score and Parts:
- Piano, m.34-35: E-flat should be an E natural
- Piano, m.97, beat 2: B-flat4 should be a G4
Program Notes
The Ascension is the third of four movements of The Divine Comedy. The movement begins with Dante on the Mountain of Purgatory. Having been instructed and purified in Purgatory, he is prepared for his journey to Paradise. Beatrice, his guide, lifts her eyes toward the sun. Following her example, Dante looks to the sun and is at the moment transformed ("trans-humanized") in preparation for his great adventure. He is surprised to discover wonderful music, the music of the spheres, surrounding them. Swifter than thought, their flight of incredible speed begins. Dante and Beatrice, accompanied by sounds of wondrous beauty and intensity, ascent to the Sphere of Fire.
- Program Note by composer
Commissioned by the James Madison University Band, Harrisonburg, VA, Dr. J. Patrick Rooney, Director of Bands.
- Program Note from score
Media
- Audio: Reference recording. George Mason University Wind Ensemble (Anthony Maiello, conductor)
- Audio CD: Symphony Band, Unió Musical of Llíria (José Miguel Micó Castellano, conductor) – 2008
- Audio CD: George Mason University Wind Ensemble (Anthony Maiello, conductor) – 1997
State Ratings
- Alabama: Class A
- Georgia: V
- Kansas: IV
- Minnesota: II
- Mississippi: VI-A
- New York: Concert Band V
- North Carolina: VI
- South Carolina: V
- Tennessee: V
- Virginia: V
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles (Chicago, Ill.) Symphonic Band (Kyle Rhoades, conductor) - 1 April 2023
- Adrian (Mich.) College Concert Band (Ryan Cupp, conductor) - 20 February 2023
- North Central College (Naperville, Ill.) Concert Winds (Lawrence Van Oyen, conductor) - 05 December 2021
- Rome (Italy) Banda dell'Esercito Italiano (Italian Army Wind Band) (Filippo Cangiamila, conductor) – 22 September 2021
- University of Maine (Orono) Symphonic Band (Christopher White, conductor) - 22 April 2021
- University of Oklahoma (Norman) Boomer Campus Band (Brian Britt, conductor) – 01 March 2020
- Franklin (Mass.) High School Wind Ensemble (Diane Plouffe, conductor) – 10 December 2019
- Emporia State University (Overland Park, Ks.) Wind Ensemble (Gary Ziek, conductor) - 23 November 2019
- University of Miami (Coral Gables) Green Concert Band (Jay C. Reese, conductor) – 02 February 2019
- San Dieguito Academy (San Diego, Calif.) Wind Ensemble I (Jeremy Wuertz, conductor) – 23 January 2019
- DuPage Community Concert Band (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) (Terry Redford, conductor) - 03 December 2018
- Whitman College (Walla Walla, Wash.) Wind Ensemble (Gary Gemberling, conductor) – 11 November 2018
- McPherson (Kan.) College Concert Band (Kyle Hopkins, conductor) – 20 November 2016
- Ohlone Wind Orchestra (Fremont, Calif.) (Tony Clements, conductor) – 01 May 2016
- Liberty Classic Community Band (Williamsport, Penn.) (Arnald Gabriel, conductor) – 18 October 2015
- De Kunstvrienden Sint-Eloois-Winkel (Ledegem, Netherlands) (Dimitri Bracke, conductor) – 07 April 2013
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- Christmas Declaration (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Glover) (2009/2019)
- Encanto (Flex instrumentation) (1989/2002)
All Wind Works
- Abide with Me (as arranger) (1861/2012)
- Abominable Snowman Chase (2010)
- Aces (2015)
- Affirmation Overture (1991)
- Africa: Ceremony, Song and Ritual (1994)
- African Bell Carol (as arranger) (2001)
- African Holy Night (2017)
- Ain't No Stoppin' Us (2007)
- Alabama Fanfare (2015)
- All Is Calm (as arranger) (2002)
- America (as arranger, with Susan L. Smith) (1831/2017)
- America the Beautiful (as arranger) (1882/1988)
- America the Beautiful (as arranger, with Story) (1882/2004)
- American Bell Carol (2012)
- An American Christmas (2004)
- American Dances (Brass Ensemble) (2017)
- American Dances (Wind Ensemble) (2017/2018-2019)
- American Flourish (2009)
- The American Folk Odyssey. See: The Wayfaring Stranger
- American Landscape No. 1 (2005)
- American Landscape No. 2. See: North Bay Vistas
- American Landscape No. 3. See: Southwest Summer
- And to All a Good Night (with Story) (2004)
- Angels, from the Realms of Glory (as arranger) (1816/1999)
- Angels, from the Realms of Glory (as arranger, with Story) (1816/2010)
- The Apes (2013), from Bestiarium
- Apollo Fanfare (2002)
- Appalachian Folk Dance (2013)
- Argosy (2016)
- The Ascension. See: Symphony No. 1, "The Divine Comedy"
- Ash Lawn Echoes (1993)
- At Daybreak (2009)
- At the Crossroads (1994)
- Auld Lang Syne (with Story) (2006)
- Aura Lea (as arranger) (2014)
- Away in a Manger (as arranger) (2012)
- Barrage (2010)
- Be Still, My Soul (2010)
- Bells! (2009)
- Benjamin Franklin and the Art of Music (2011)
- Beyond the Bell Carol (2018)
- Blessings (as arranger) (2017)
- Blue. See: Krisanna's Colors
- The Bodyguard (as arranger) (1993)
- Brazil: Ceremony, Song and Samba (2009)
- Brazilian Bell Carol (2016)
- Buffalo Dances (2006)
- By Loch and Mountain (1997)
- Call of Duty (2014)
- Cameroon (with Story) (2004)
- Cantique de Noel (as arranger) (1997)
- Carol for Coventry (2020)
- Celestial Fanfare (2015)
- Celtic Bell Carol (2010)
- Celtic Carol (as arranger) (2002)
- Celtic Holy Night (as arranger) (2018)
- Celebration Fanfare from "Buffalo Dances" (2006)
- Ceremonium (1994)
- Chautauqua (2004)
- Children of the World (as arranger)
- Chimes of Freedom (2017)
- Christmas a la Mode (as arranger) (2020)
- Christmas Concerto (1991)
- Christmas Concerto No. 2
- Christmas Concerto No. 3 (2003)
- Christmas Declaration (2009)
- Christmas Declaration (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Glover) (2009/2019)
- Christmas Encore (as arranger) (2017)
- A Christmas Festival (as arranger) (1950/2007)
- A Christmas Hymn (2001)
- Christmas in the Round (2001)
- Christmas Overture for Band (1991)
- Christmas Prism (as arranger) (2014)
- A Christmas Proclamation (2008)
- Christmas Spectacle (as arranger) (2020)
- Clarinet Christmas (as arranger) (1992)
- Cohan Celebration (as arranger, with Story) (2006)
- Colors of Christmas (2012)
- Commemoration (1993)
- Coronation Fanfare (2018)
- Cosmic Harmonies (2023)
- Covenant (1992)
- Crown of Glory (2009)
- Crush (2013)
- Currents (2006)
- Dance Celebration (2000)
- Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy (as arranger, with Story) (1891/2007)
- Danse Jubilante
- Danza Del Fuego (2011)
- Danza Del Mambo (2019)
- Deck the Halls with Drums and Voices (2009)
- Declaration and Flourish (as arranger). See: Vaughan Williams Suite
- Declaration in Blue (2002)
- Ding Dong Merrily on High (with Story) (2007)
- Discovery 1492 (1991)
- Divergence (2018)
- The Divine Comedy. See: Symphony No. 1, "The Divine Comedy"
- Dramatico (2002)
- Dreams (2010)
- Drummer's Christmas Carol (as arranger) (1958/1999)
- Dueling Dragons (2009)
- Dulcinea. See: Symphony No. 3, "Don Quixote"
- Earhart (2012)
- El Captain (as arranger, with Story) (1896/2004)
- El Espiritu de Valencia (2009)
- Elfie Stick (as arranger) (2022)
- Encanto (1989/2007)
- Escape from Krypton (2012)
- Eskimo Dance (as arranger, with Story) (2008)
- Eternal Father, Strong to Save (as arranger) (1861/2017)
- Eternal Peaks (2006)
- The Fairest of the Fair (as arranger, with Story) (1908/2010)
- Fanfare and Processional on an Old English Carol (1999)
- Fanfare Fantastique (2020)
- Fanfare for a Holiday Celebration (2006)
- Fanfare for Tomorrow (2006)
- Fanfare on an Old French Carol (2011)
- Fawkes the Phoenix (as arranger, with Story) (2002/2003)
- Fiesta La Vida (2009)
- First Decree (2017)
- Flight of the Dragonfly (2021)
- Flying Fortress (2019)
- Folk Song Variants (2014)
- Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians
- A Frank Sinatra Christmas (as arranger) (1996)
- Full Throttle (2015)
- Funny Bones (with Story) (2011)
- Furioso (2001)
- The Gathering of the Yeomen (1993)
- Gemeinhardt Suite (1997)
- Gentle Winds of Spring (2019)
- Georgia on My Mind (as arranger) (1930/1980)
- Ghost Band (2012)
- Glorioso (1997)
- God Rest Ye Merry Mallets (2011)
- Going Home (as arranger) (1893/2013)
- The Great Escape March (as arranger) (1963/1991/1995)
- The Great Locomotive Chase (2000)
- The Great Steamboat Chase (2003)
- The Great Train Record (2018)
- The Greatest Generation (2017)
- Greensleeves (as arranger). See: Vaughan Williams Suite
- Groovin' Down Cool Street (2009)
- Hadrian's Wall (2010)
- Happy Birthday to You (Grade I) (as arranger) (2015)
- Happy Birthday to You (Grade II) (as arranger) (2015)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (as arranger) (2001/2003)
- Harry Potter Symphonic Suite (as arranger) (2001)
- Herald the Holidays (2015)
- Herndon Exaltations (1997)
- High and Low Country
- Highlights from "Quest for Camelot" (as arranger) (1998)
- Highlights from "Ragtime" (as arranger) (1997)
- Holiday Bells Are Ringing (2010)
- Holiday Chips and Salsa (with Story) (2012)
- Holiday Emblem (1990)
- Holiday Fanfare
- Holiday March (with Michael Story) (2006)
- Holiday Sing-Along (as arranger, with Story) (2003)
- A Holst Hymn (as arranger) (1921/2022)
- Holst Winter Suite
- Old Brenton Carol (as arranger) (1910/2001)
- In the Bleak Midwinter (as arranger) (1906/1992)
- On This Day Earth Shall Ring (as arranger) (1924/2001)
- Hoosier Suite (1998)
- Hope (2015)
- Hot as Blue Blazes (2023)
- Hymnsong Variants (1996)
- I Saw Santa Dance the Samba on His Sleigh (2021)
- I Wonder as I Wander (as arranger) (1994)
- The Iliad. See: Symphony No. 2, "The Odyssey"
- The Illumination. See: Symphony No. 3, "Don Quixote"
- In a Gentle Rain. See: Willson Suite
- In the Bleak Midwinter (as arranger). See: Holst Winter Suite
- In the Bleak Midwinter (as arranger, with Susan L. Smith) (1908/2016)
- In the Garden of the Gods
- In the Hall of the Mountain King (as arranger, with Story) (1876/2009)
- In Times of Turbulence (2019)
- Incantations (1992)
- Inchon (2001)
- Inchon (adapt. Ninmer) (2001/)
- The Inferno. See: Symphony No. 1, "The Divine Comedy"
- Inspiration Overture
- Into the Storm (1994)
- Invincible (2010)
- Ireland (1996)
- Irish Songs (2007)
- The Isle of Calypso. See: Symphony No. 2, "The Odyssey"
- It Is Well (as arranger) (1873/2015)
- Ithaca. See: Symphony No. 2, "The Odyssey"
- Jefferson: A Vision for America (1993)
- Jingle Bells Forever (1998)
- John Williams: A Fantasy of Flight (as arranger) (2002)
- Joy Through the Holidays (as arranger) (2022)
- Jupiter (as arranger, with Story) (1916/2007)
- Just As I Am (as arranger) (2016)
- The Keystone (2015)
- King of Kings (1998)
- The King's Flourish (2011)
- Knights of the Royal Realm (2006)
- Krisanna's Colors (2015-2017)
- Kronos (2003)
- Latin Bell Carol (2008)
- Legacy (with Story) (2008)
- Legend of the Queen Anne’s Revenge (2010)
- Leroy Anderson, a Legacy in Sound (as arranger) (1991/2008)
- Let Heaven and Nature Sing! (as arranger) (2000)
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (as arranger, with Story) (1945/2008)
- Linus and Lucy (as arranger) (1964/)
- Liturgical Fanfare (1995)
- Lullaby Carols (as arranger) (2000)
- Lullaby for Band (2007)
- The Maelstrom (1997)
- Mallet Mambo (2015)
- March Grandioso (as arranger) (1909/2007)
- March of the Magical Toys (1997)
- Masterpiece (as arranger)
- Mekong (2011)
- Mighty Empire (2018)
- A Minor Holiday Celebration (as arranger) (2019)
- Mirages (2009)
- Montevista
- Monument (2005)
- Morpheus (2004)
- A Mother's Hymn (2021)
- Moto Continuo (2009)
- Musical Mayhem (2017)
- Mutations (2023)
- Mystere (2001)
- A Nation's Strength (2003)
- Navarro (2009)
- The Navy Trident (2020)
- Nocturnal Dances (2001)
- A Noel Night (as arranger) (2013)
- North Bay Vistas (2007)
- Northwoods: Of Might and Mettle (2002)
- The Odyssey. See: Symphony No. 2, "The Odyssey"
- Oh Hanukkah (as arranger) (2002)
- The Old Castle (as arranger) (1874/2012)
- Olde English Carol (as arranger) (2016)
- On Eagle's Wings (1999)
- On the Rising Winds (1998)
- Overture 1812 (as arranger, with Story) (1882/2012)
- Paradiso. See: Symphony No. 1, "The Divine Comedy"
- Pavane (as arranger) (1899/1994)
- Peace Like a River (2009)
- The Phantom Head (2013)
- Portals (2021)
- Portsmouth Overture (1988)
- Postcards from the First Coast (2015)
- The Prairie Is My Garden (2018)
- Precious Lord, Lead Me Home (as arranger)
- Precious Lord, Take My Hand (as arranger) (1990)
- Prevailing Winds (2009)
- Procession of Heroes (with Story) (2010)
- Proclamation and Procession (2007)
- Prologue (with Story)
- Promising Skies (2010)
- Provenance (1999)
- Purgatorio. See: Symphony No. 1, "The Divine Comedy"
- The Quest. See: Symphony No. 3, "Don Quixote"
- Quintilian (1998)
- Race Against Time (2020)
- The Recession, Depression Holiday Blues (2009)
- Red. See: Krisanna's Colors
- Reflections in Moonlight (as arranger) (1801/2007)
- Reign (2014)
- Reindeer Galop (as arranger) (2014)
- Relativo (2011)
- Repercussions (2007)
- Rising Dragons (2006)
- Rites of Tamburo (1999)
- Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow (2010)
- Rock That! (2018)
- Rock the Halls (with Story) (2006)
- The Rockin' Drummer Boy (as arranger, with Story) (1958/2008)
- Rockin' Nutcracker (as arranger) (1884/2014)
- Rockin' Ol' St. Nick (with Story) (2010)
- A Royal Christmas (as arranger, with Story)
- The Royal Hawaiian (2023)
- The Runaway Sleigh (2007)
- Russian Dance from "The Nutcracker" (as arranger, with Story) (1884/2011)
- Rythmos (2005)
- Salvation (2012)
- Sancho and the Windmills. See: Symphony No. 3, "Don Quixote"
- Sanctus (as arranger) (2011)
- Santa's Wild Ride (2013)
- Scaling the Mountains of Time (2022)
- Scarborough Fair (as arranger) (2018)
- Scottish Lullaby (as arranger) (2014)
- The Second Storm (2005)
- Semper Liberi (1998)
- Sensei's Ride on the Cherry Blossom Express (2010)
- Serengeti Dreams (2000)
- Shenandoah (as arranger, with Story) (2003)
- Siberian Sleighride (as arranger, with Story) (2009)
- Silent Night (as arranger, with Susan L. Smith) (1818/2018)
- Silver Wings March (2016)
- Soaring Over High and Low Country (2022)
- Soaring Through Ionian Skies (2003)
- Soaring with John Williams (as arranger) (2007)
- Solaris (2009)
- Songs of Earth, Water, Fire and Sky (1998)
- Songs of Sailor and Sea (1997)
- The Sound and the Fury (1999)
- Sousa Times Twosa (as arranger, with Story) (2006)
- Southwest Summer (2009)
- The Spirit of Orpheus (1998)
- Spirit of the Winds (2007)
- The Star of Dreams (2002)
- Star Spangled Christmas (as arranger) (2015)
- Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace (as arranger) (1999)
- Star Wars: Episode II, Attack of the Clones (as arranger) (2002)
- Star Wars: Episode III, Revenge of the Sith (as arranger) (2005)
- The Star-Spangled Banner (Concert Band) (as arranger) (1814/2009)
- The Star-Spangled Banner (Soloist with Band) (as arranger) (1814/2004)
- Sticks and Bones (2020)
- Stevie Wonder Then and Now (as arranger)
- Stone Gardens (2016)
- Suite for the Heroes Among Us (2018)
- Suite from the Star Wars Epic, Part I (as arranger) (1977/2007)
- Suite from the Star Wars Epic, Part II (as arranger) (1977/2007)
- Suite of Appalachian Folk Songs (2016)
- Summer Nights (2016)
- Surge (2011)
- The Swarm (2005)
- The Sword of Kings (2007)
- Symphonic Festival (1991)
- Symphonic Statement (2006)
- Symphony No. 1, "The Divine Comedy" (1994–97)
- The Inferno (1995)
- Purgatorio (1997)
- The Ascension (1994)
- Paradiso (1996)
- Symphony No. 2, "The Odyssey" (1999–2004)
- The Iliad (2001)
- The Winds of Poseidon (1999)
- The Isle of Calypso (2001)
- Ithaca (2004)
- Symphony No. 3, "Don Quixote" (2008)
- Symphony of Souls (2007)
- Tanoan Echoes (1996)
- The Tempest (1995)
- Teutonic Tales (2010)
- Damon-Tanz (2011)
- Freya (2011)
- Thor's Hammer (2011)
- Theme from "NYPD Blue" (as arranger) (1993/)
- Theme from "Tom and Jerry – The Movie" (as arranger)
- Themes from "Battlefield Earth" (as arranger) (2000)
- Three Conversations with Matisse (2021)
- Three Faces of Kilimanjaro (2003)
- Three Fanfares for a Celebration (2007)
- Through the Vulcan's Eye (1996)
- Tidings of Joy! (2000)
- Time for Trumpets (2016)
- To Dance in the Secret Garden (1996)
- To Challenge the Sky and Heavens Above (2000)
- To Conquer the Kraken (2013)
- To the Max (2009)
- To the Summit! (2001)
- Top Gun (1986)
- The Trail of Dreams (2003)
- Trans-America March (2019)
- Triton Fanfare (2009)
- Tromba Grande (2016)
- Trust and Obey (as arranger) (2020)
- Tuba Christmas (2020)
- 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime (as arranger) (1995)
- Twelve Seconds to the Moon (1996)
- Twilight Is Falling (1999)
- Twister (as arranger) (1996)
- Ukrainian Bell Carol (as arranger) (1996)
- Ultimatum (2009)
- Upon a Midnight Clear (as arranger) (2014)
- Üsküdar (with Story) (2005)
- Valdres (as arranger) (1904/1992)
- Valiance: A Heroic Overture for Band (2007)
- Variant on an Old English Carol (1998)
- Variations on "Deck the Halls" (1998)
- Vaughan Williams Suite
- Wassail (as arranger) (2006)
- Greensleeves (as arranger) (2007)
- Declaration and Flourish (2008)
- Vespers of Light (2019)
- Walking the Planks (2012)
- Wassail (as arranger). See: Vaughan Williams Suite
- The Wayfaring Stranger (2021)
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas (as arranger) (2003)
- When a Man Loves a Woman (as arranger)
- When Saint Nick Comes Marching In (as arranger) (2017)
- When Summer Takes Flight (2002)
- Where the Black Hawk Soars (1995)
- Willson Suite (1997/2000)
- In a Gentle Rain (2000)
- Wind Song (2017)
- The Winds of Poseidon. See: Symphony No. 2, "The Odyssey"
- Winter Suite (as arranger). See: Holst Winter Suite
- A World Holiday Celebration (2007)
- Yellow. See: Krisanna's Colors
- Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus (2013)
- Yi Sun Shin: A Call to the Sea. See: Rising Dragons
Resources
- Perusal score
- Robert W. Smith website Accessed 6 September 2021
- Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications, pp. 549.
- Smith, R. (1994). The Ascension: from The Divine Comedy [score]. Belwin Mills: Miami, Fla.