Galilean Moons

Roger Cichy

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General Info

Year: 1996 / 1999
Duration: c. 14:00
Difficulty: V-1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Daehn Publications, through C.L. Barnhouse
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $150.00 | Score Only (print) - $25.00

Movements

1. Ganymede - 4:45
2. Callisto – 2:50
3. Io - 2:20
4. Europa – 4:10

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
G Alto Flute
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
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
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Harp
Timpani
Percussion I-VIII

(percussion detail desired)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Composer Roger Cichy had not devoted his thoughts or energies to astronomy prior to composing Galilean Moons in 1996. "I had already begun a sketch of the first movement of a multi-movement work,” Cichy writes, “when I awoke one day with the name ‘Europa’ bouncing around my head. I quickly researched the topic and uncovered the four Galilean Moons of Jupiter. It's a bizarre coincidence that my initial sketch of the work's first movement, in progress before uncovering the subject, fit remarkably well the moon Ganymede.”

Each of the four Galilean Moons is unique. Cichy's work reflects these disparate qualities. Ganymede is an earth-like body harboring a system of continents, and much of the movement features the Neopolitan scale, which incorporates semitones on either side of tonic. Callisto is perhaps the most geographically inert body in the entire solar system and is depicted by a haunting melody, introduced by the alto flute, accompanied by crystal-like tones that suggest a cold, stark, lifeless landscape. Io, with its violent volcanism, is portrayed through the use of semitones and tri-tone figures in furioso bursts of musical energy. The tempo/style marking, Furioso, is continuous throughout the movement. Europa is among the most mysterious of all known celestial bodies, its warm sea sandwiched between a molten core and frozen surface crust. Cichy's makes wide use of dichotomous minor/major tonalities throughout the final movement.

- Program Note from publisher

Commissioned by the University of Georgia Bands, John N. Culvahouse, Associate Director.

- Program Note from score

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

Alabama: Class AA
Georgia: VI
Indiana: ISSMA SENIOR BAND GROUP I
Kansas: VI
Louisiana: V
Virginia: VI

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

University of California, Santa Barbara, Wind Ensemble (Andy Radford, conductor) - 9 March 2023
University of California, Santa Barbara, Wind Ensemble (Paul Bambach, conductor) – 30 November 2017
West Virginia University (Morgantown) Wind Symphony (Scott C. Tobias, conductor) – 10 February 2017
Benicia (Calif.) High School Wind Ensemble – 2015
University of Nevada Reno Wind Ensemble (A G McGrannahan III, conductor) – 16 March 2006 (CBDNA 2006 Western/Northwestern Division Conference, Reno, Nev.)

Works for Winds by This Composer

Amazing Grace (as arranger) (1779/2014)
American Band Salute (2009?)
and make a joyous sound
Breakthrough (1994/2000)
Bugs (2000)
Colours (1997)
Divertimento for Winds and Percussion (1994)
El Caballero (2000)
Emblazoned Joy (2019/2021)
Fanfare for a Festive Day (1996)
Festival!
First Flights
Flowing Pens from Concord (2013)
For Purple Mountain Majesties (2005)
Galilean Moons (1996)
Geometric Dances (2007)
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (as arranger) (2022)
The Golden Baton March
Hats Off (2016)
In Exuberant Celebration (2009)
Interpretations
Maestro
New Millennium, Different World, New Beginnings (2004)
Pandemonium (2006)
Quartets (2006/2012)
Rachmaninoff Prelude (as arranger)
Silhouette
Sounds, Sketches, and Ideas (2002)
T. Rex
We Walked with Heads Held High (2006)
Windsicle (2006)
Wisconsin Soundscapes
Wizards

Resources

Cichy, R. (1999). Galilean Moons [score]. Daehn Pub.: New Glarus, Wisc.
Perusal score