Hopak Raskolniki

From Wind Repertory Project
David Holsinger

David Holsinger


General Info

Year: 1980
Duration: c. 4:18
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: C.L. Barnhouse Company
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $90.00   |   Score Only (print) - $8.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Piano
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Chimes
  • Cowbell
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Timpani
  • Tom-toms (4)
  • Triangle
  • Wood Block


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This work was only Holsinger's second composition for concert band. The inspiration comes from the composer's reading of the life of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and his dealings with the Council of Old Believers, known as 'Raskolniki'.The work begins with an ostinato in the low reeds, euphonium, piano and xylophone. This melodic motif permeates throughout the work. As with this composer's oeuvre, the music is fast paced with numerous meter changes.

This was only my second composition for concert band (circa 1980), but its use of layered lines over fluctuating time signatures and the use of metric modulation near the end of the piece was a vast departure from my first publication and a significant leap (at least for me) in establishing what has become my "style" of composition. For those who seek to find great "spiritual dimension" to the title, I'm afraid I shall have to disappoint you ... The title actually comes from this composer's readings of the life of Russian composer, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

In the 1880s he was instrumental in a movement among Russian composers and musicians to turn from the extreme nationalistic tradition and create a new "style" of music based on broader, more eclectic methods and resources. One account I perused mentioned his artistic struggle with the Council of Old Believers, the "Raskolniki" ... I was immediately taken with the phrase and this "Russian Dance for the Raskolniki" was born!

(I will be quick to admit that my "hopak form" is totally unconventional, completely removed from the original dance form, and used in the title by way of poetic license! This admission hereby excuses my liability to the "closet" Russian Musicology fringe-groups found among band audiences far and wide!)

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources