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Iliad, The

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Robert W. Smith

Robert W Smith


Subtitle: In the 10th Year of the Trojan War

This work is the first movement of the composer's 'Symphony No. 2, The Odyssey.


General Info

Year: 2000
Duration: c. 7:44
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts - $90.00   |   Score Only - $15.00


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Bodhrans
  • Brake Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Gong
  • Marimba
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Wind Chimes


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Offstage horn calls to war begin this triumphant first movement of Robert W. Smith's Second Symphony for band based on the classic story of The Odyssey. Squeaky wheels of the Trojan horse, burning forest, and sword fight are all part of the aural drama of this programmatic work.

- Program Note by publisher


Subtitled "...in the 10th Year of the Trojan War", this piece retells the story of the incredible victory of the Greeks against the Trojans, using the famous Trojan Horse. The movement opens with call-and-response horn duet and motif that is prominent in both this and the fourth movement. This quickly broadens into a majestic fanfare, another recurring theme in the piece, which in reality serves as a sort of theme for Odysseus. The final sustained note of the fanfare decrescendoes into yet another motif: a flute/horn duet backed by a harp (usually on synthesizer), playing their own call-and-response/echo theme. The full band returns with the fanfare before entering an aggressive section: the woodwinds play rapid alternating triplet patterns while the brass re-enter with an entirely new, even more menacing theme. This new theme reaches its climax and quickly repeats its first part before a rapid woodwind descent which sets the tone for the second part of the movement, "The Trojan Horse".

Like in many of his pieces, Smith has used unusual percussion instruments and effects to achieve a certain mode and image. In this piece, he has instructed the cymbal players to grind the edge of one cymbal into the inner dome of the other, producing the sound of the squeaky wheel. While the Greeks wheel the horse into the city, the flute/duet melody returns briefly, highlighted by an ominous clarinet choir. The music eventually fades away, and a second effect initiates: The "Fire" effect involves members of the band crinkling paper gently while brake drums provoke a sword fight. The "fire" quickly spreads across the band, eventually coming to the crescendo which reintroduces the "Aggressive" theme, albeit with more triumphant feel. This slightly-modified theme brings the band to its final, victorious climax.

- Program Note from Wikipedia


Commission by and dedicated to the Regina Lions Band, Regina, Saskatchewan, Mr. Robert Mossing, Executive Director.

- Program Note from score


Commercial Discography

None discovered thus far.


Audio Links


State Ratings

  • Alabama: Class A
  • Tennessee: VI


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by this Composer


References

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