Great River Rapid Chase (flex), The

From Wind Repertory Project
Josh Trentadue

Josh Trentadue


This work is the first movement of Trentadue's "The Michigan Triptych."


General Info

Year: 2018 / 2020
Duration: c. 3:30
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: M.O.T.I.F.
Cost: Score and Parts (digital) - $65.00


Instrumentation (Adaptable Ensemble)

Full Score

Part 1

  • Piccolo
  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • E-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • Soprano Saxophone
  • Violin I

Part 2

  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone
  • Trumpet
  • Horn in F
  • Violin II

Part 3

  • Bassoon
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone
  • B-flat Tenor Saxophone
  • Trumpet
  • Horn in F
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Viola

Part 4

  • Bassoon
  • B-flat Bass Clarinet
  • E-flat Baritone Saxophone
  • Trombone
  • Bass Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Tuba
  • Violoncello
  • Double Bass

Additional Instruments (optional)

  • Piano
  • Keyboard Synthesizer
  • Guitar
  • Harp
  • Bass Guitar

Timpani (optional)
Percussion (optional), including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bongos (2)
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Hi-Hat
  • Marimba
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tom-Toms (4)
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The Great River Rapid Chase came about from two different reasons. After growing up and living in my home state of Michigan for the majority of my life, I moved to New York City to pursue graduate-level academics. Although I can't deny there have been so many incredible experiences I've had here (and I wouldn't change that for anything), I also can't deny that, every now and again, I've felt a bit homesick for the incredible landscapes and sights that Michigan has to offer. Writing this piece was an opportunity for me to get back in touch with that part of nature that I've loved for so long now.

This piece was also an opportunity for me to exercise another goal: composing high-quality music for young, beginning musicians that could equally be fun to listen to as well as perform. I sought to challenge the players, but not so much as to make the music difficult for all the wrong reasons. This led to further challenges of creating authentic contrasting shapes and new colors within a standardized form that, overall, I had a lot of fun exploring.

The Great River Rapid Chase is a short, fast-paced adventure relying on rhythmic grooves and a sense of determination to arrive towards a final destination. Think of fish swimming upstream in a raging river - sometimes with the currents, sometimes against them. What sort of predators and other dangers will they face?

- Program Note by composer


Performance Notes

The Great River Rapid Chase has been arranged for four-part adaptable ensemble -- the score is in C. Any combination of instruments at your discretion, as long as they each fulfill the four different parts, can be used to perform this work. I am happy to provide any additional instrumental parts fulfilling another role at your request (ex: Soprano Saxophone on Part I instead of II).

I highly encourage you to experiment with this piece's orchestration. Use what available resources you have and get creative with color and texture (example: if you have an Electric Bass, or even an electric string quartet or quintet, use it! Go wild!). Use these experimentations as a learning tool for how color and texture can change with even the smallest difference in orchestration (example: have the flutes play a melodic passage alone, then another high group of voices such as clarinet and/or soprano saxophone if available. What are the differences in timbre? Does it affect the mood or emotion of the piece? How, if so?). To that end, use this adaptable-ensemble version of The Great River Rapid Chase as an endless sea of experimentation and creative possibilities for you and your students, no matter what the performance situation or instrumentation may be.


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Senri and Osaka (Japan) International Schools of Kwansei High School Concert Band (Kelly Deklinski, conductot) - 5 March 2021 *Premiere Performance


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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