In Final Obedience

From Wind Repertory Project
Jack Stamp

Jack Stamp


Subtitle: An Elegy for Narrator and Band


General Info

Year: 1994 / 2000
Duration: c. 10:30
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Neil a Kjos Music Company
Cost: Score and Parts - $110.00   |   Score Only - $10.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Narrator
Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
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
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V-VI, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Cymbals (crash and suspended)
  • Finger Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Marimba
  • Timpani
  • Triangle
  • Tubular Bells
  • Vibraphone
  • Wind Chimes


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Several intertwining stories surround the composition of In Final Obedience. First, I was both honored and touched when my friend Don McLaurin commissioned me to write a work in memory of his father. I am always worried about "cloning" myself when fulfilling consecutive commissions, so I worked consciously to write a somewhat "different" work. I was reading the work of Kentucky poet Wendall Berry at the time, and his Three Elegiac Poems had moved me to tears. I shared the poetry with Don who responded similarly. I considered setting the poetry to song, but Mr. Berry's words are too strong, too beautiful, to be molested by musical pitch. I decided to use the poetry as a narration.

While this phase of the work was going on, a good friend and teacher of mine, Fisher Tull, became seriously ill. In April of 1994, Sam Houston State University honored Dr. Tull for his thirty years of service with what they called "Tullfest '94". I attended the celebration, had a marvelous visit with "Mickey" and his family, and actually had a few minutes to write a tune that I planned to use later in a chamber work. As I worked on the composition for Don, I received word that Mickey's health was deteriorating. It was at that point that I incorporated the "Tullfest" tune into the work. Sadly, Fisher Tull passed away in early September 1994, just as I was finishing the work. I realized that I had my own personal elegy to write as well as one for my friend's dad, hence, my personal dedication.

The work is a combination of only three ideas: an opening rhythmic motive, a quasi-hymn tune (which later transforms itself into the hymn Forest Green), and a "Coplandesque" tune (from the "Tullfest"). There is one more signature irony in the work which connects all the divergent pieces of the experience. The majority of entrances of the "Tullfest" tune are by solo trumpet, the instrument of the conductor, Don McLaurin. Trumpet was also Mickey Tull's instrument, and the trumpet player who performed the solos in the premiere, is Don's son, Scott, playing in memory of his grandfather.

- Program Note by Jack Stamp


Commercial Discography


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Jack Stamp website
  • Stamp, J. (2000). In Final Obedience: An Elegy for Narrator and Band [score]. Neil A. Kjos: San Diego, Calif.
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