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Axis Mundi
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General Info
Year: 2009
Duration: c. 12:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Steven Bryant
Cost: Score and Parts (print) – Rental ($350.00); (digital) - Rental ($350.00) | Score Only (print) - $50.00; (digital) - $50.00
Movements
1. Apatheia
2. Hêdonê
Instrumentation
(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Axis mundi is Latin for “center of the world.” More specifically, it connotes the connecting axis between the two opposite sides, or facets, of a world. It appears as a cultural symbol in every region of the planet, often as a natural object, such as the Yggdrasil Tree in Norse mythology, or Mount Fuji in Japan. It signifies the connection of opposites, the intertwined nature of opposing forces and elements: quiet and loud, dark and light, aggressive and passive, masculine and feminine, etc. Of particular interest to me is this concept’s embodiment in the symbol of yin and yang. The two movements represent these opposites in their surface characteristics: whereas Mvt. I, Apatheia, is music of the introverted, interior mind, Mvt. II, Hêdonê, is its extroverted, hedonistic counterpart, yet both are inextricably intertwined, springing from a singular musical source, and require each other for balance.
Apatheia is from the philosophy of Stoicism, and describes a mental state free of emotional volatility and disturbance. My musical setting of this idea evokes a calm, rational mind, without excessive emotion or passion. The music is clear, orderly, and never ventures above piano in volume or character.
Hêdonê, on the other hand, is from Epicurean philosophy, and describes the quest for pleasure (more specifically, pleasure with only good consequences, not the wider, wanton disregard that is inherent in the word’s English descendant, hedonism). The music is passionate, hyperactive, chaotic, sometimes angry, and often humorous. It is relentlessly loud and aggressive.
Axis Mundi was commissioned by a consortium of Japanese bands through the Japanese Wind Ensemble Conductors Conference, and organized by Mamoru Nakata. The work was premiered by the 2009 JWECC Festival Band in Okazaki City, Japan, on March 15th, 2009, conducted by Shintaro Fukumoto.
- Program Note by composer
Media
- Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown
- Audio CD: Showa Wind Symphony (Eugene Migliaro Corporon, conductor) - 2018
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Utah Valley University (Orem) Wind Symphony (James Colonna, conductor) – 13 March 2012 (CBDNA 2012 Western/Northwestern Division Conference, Reno, Nev.)
- Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare (Kurashiki, Japan) Wind Orchestra (Toshiya Iwata, conductor) – 26 February 2010 (CBDNA 2010 Southern Division Conference, Oxford, Miss.)
- JWECC Festival Band (Okazaki City, Japan) (Shintaro Fukumoto, conductor) - 15 March 2009 *Premiere Performance'*'
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- Dusk (Four-part Adaptable Band) (2004/2020)
- Dusk (Five-part Adaptable Band) (2004/2020)
- In This Broad Earth (Adaptable Band) (2015/2020)
- The Low Arc of the Sun (Adaptable Band) (2017/2021)
- The Machine Awakes (Five-part Adaptable Band) (2012/2020)
- MetaMarch (Six-part Adaptable Band) (arr. Ambrose) (2003/2020)
All Wind Works
- Alchemy in Silent Spaces (2001)
- Aloft (2023)
- all stars are love (2014)
- Anthem (Bryant) (2011)
- The Automatic Earth (2019)
- Axis Mundi (2009)
- Bloom (2004)
- A Brighter Light (2021)
- Centennial Chimes (2021)
- Chester Leaps In. See: Parody Suite)
- A Chorus Loud and Strong (2021)
- Coil (2014)
- Concerto for Alto Saxophone (2014)
- Concerto for Cello and Orchestral Winds
- Concerto for Piano and Orchestral Winds & Percussion (2012)
- Concerto for Trombone 2016
- Concerto for Wind Ensemble (2010)
- Dusk (2004)
- Dusk (Four-part Adaptable Band) (2004/2020)
- Dusk (Five-Part Adaptable Band) (2004/2020)
- Ecstatic Fanfare (2012)
- Ecstatic Fanfare (arr. Lourens) (2012/2015)
- Ecstatic Waters (2008)
- First Light
- Impercynations (see Parody Suite)
- Idyll (2013)
- In This Broad Earth (2015)
- In This Broad Earth (for brass ensemble) (2015/2017)
- In This Broad Earth (Adaptable Band) (2015/2020)
- Interruption Overture (1998)
- Interruptions
- Irrational Joy (2017)
- Loose Id (2006)
- The Low Arc of the Sun (Adaptable Band) (2017/2021)
- The Machine Awakes (2012)
- The Machine Awakes (Five-part Adaptable Band) (2012/2020)
- The Marbled Midnight Mile (1999)
- MetaMarch. See: Parody Suite)
- MetaMarch (Six-part Adaptable Band) (arr. Ambrose) (2003/2020)
- A Million Suns at Midnight
- Miniature Suite (2017)
- Monkey
- Nothing Gold Can Stay (2016)
- Paean
- Parody Suite
- Pendulum (2018)
- Radiant Joy (2006)
- RedLine
- Rise (2003)
- sevenfive
- Solace (2012)
- Stampede (2003)
- Suite Dreams. See: Parody Suite)
- Whirlwind (2013)
- Wings That Work (2003)
Resources
- Bryant, S. (2009). Axis Mundi [score]. Steven Bryant: [s.l.].
- Steven Bryant website Accessed 8 August 2021