Deserts

From Wind Repertory Project
Philip Sparke

Philip Sparke


General Info

Year: 2008
Duration: c. 11:45
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Anglo Music, through Music Shop Europe
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - €195.00   |   Score Only (print) - €39.00


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Bongo
  • Glockenspiel
  • Finger Cymbal
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Tam-tam
  • Tom-tom
  • Tubular Bells
  • Whip
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Deserts was commissioned for the Symphonic Wind Ensemble of the University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, Minnesota, by the University's Director of Bands, Dr. Matthew J. George. It was premiered by them on 2 March 2008.

In initial discussions with Philip Sparke, Dr. George offered him the challenge of writing something outside his normal "comfort zone". The composer's style is usually optimistic and outgoing, so they agreed on a "sparse" piece, the composer deciding on the theme of "nothingness" – deserts, so to speak.

During its composition, the piece took on a life of its own. It starts with the musical evocation of a desert (it could be sand, ice or extra-terrestrial) and ties into a theme the composer had previously explored: the paradox of danger combined with awesome natural beauty. A faster central section goes on to broaden the scope of the subject to deal with "emotional" deserts, and the dangers we face by isolating ourselves and not sharing our thoughts and emotions with others. It develops into a sort of "battle" between brutality (emotional and/or physical) and the optimism of the human spirit -- a sort of struggle for dominance between pessimism and optimism. The slow music returns, but is transformed by the victory of optimism and the piece ends in tranquil serenity.

- Program Note by publisher


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


=Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources