Lookfar

James M. David

Subtitle: Chorale for Ursula

General Info

Year: 2020
Duration: c. 5:20
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Murphy Music Press
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $70.00 | Score Only (print) - $20.00

Instrumentation (Adaptable)

Full Score
Part 1

Flute
Oboe
B-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Trumpet

Part 2

B-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Trumpet
E-flat Alto Saxophone

Part 3

B-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Trumpet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
F Horn

Part 4

Bassoon
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
F Horn
Trombone
Euphonium

Part 5

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

Piano (optional)
Percussion

Timpani
Crotales (or Glockenspiel)
Suspended Cymbal
Triangle

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Lookfar: Chorale for Ursula is inspired by the imaginative works of Ursula K. LeGuin, one of America’s greatest authors of science fiction, fantasy, and young adult fiction who passed away in 2018. "Lookfar” is the name of a small boat used by the protagonist of A Wizard of Earthsea who sails to the many islands and exotic ports of LeGuin’s novels. Her works, the Earthsea books in particular, are remarkable to me for their depth of feeling and humanity as well as an undying sense of hope and optimism.

My short chorale is a loving tribute to little Lookfar and its lonely passenger, struggling to find his way in a sprawling sea filled with terrors, wonders, and joys.

- Program Note by composer

Performance Notes

1. Smaller noteheads in Part 5 for bass clarinet, baritone saxophone and trombone/euphonium/bassoon should be played only if a tuba is also present.
2. The notation "one player" should be interpreted by the conductor to create a thinner timbre than the "tutti" passages. It should not necessarily be taken literally, rather whichever doubling or combination produces a sufficiently transparent texture.
3. Mutes in trumpet and trombone parts are suggestions and can be omitted for smaller ensembles.
4. Brass instruments may rest from 31-39 if sufficient woodwinds are doubling their parts.
5. All solos are at the discretion of the conductor.

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, N.C.) Wind Ensemble (Kevin Bowen, conductor) - 2 May 2021
Miami (Ohio) University Symphony Band (Brooke H. Johnson, conductor) - 23 March 2021
Central Washington University (Ellensburg) Symphonic Winds (T. André Feagin, conductor) - 8 March 2021
Florida State University (Tallahassee) Wind Ensemble (Patrick Dunnigan, conductor) - 23 February 2021
University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Symphony Band (Alex Mazur, conductor) - 13 December 2020
Hartwick College (Oneonta, N.Y.) Tuesday Band (Andrew Pease, conductor) - 8 December 2020

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Lookfar (Adaptable Band) (2020)
March Tumbao (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
Menlo Park, 1879 (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
Zephyrus (Flex instrumentation) (2019)

All Wind Works

All Dark Is Now No More (2014)
Auto '66 (2011)
Big Four on the River (2014)
Bright Window (2005)
Codex Gigas. See: Symphony No. 1
Dymaxion (2021)
Flying Jewels (2021)
From the Shaken Tower: Symphony for Percussion and Winds (2014)
Ghosts of the Old Year (2016)
Heartland Verses (2019)
I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold (2017)
Lookfar (Adaptable Band) (2020)
March Tumbao (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
Menlo Park, 1879 (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
Message from Arecibo (2023)
Octarine Spark (2009)
Pavillons en L'Air (2009)
Sinfonietta No 1 (2004)
Sinfonietta No 3: "Strange and Mysterious Waters" (2010)
Swing Landscape (2018)
Symphony No. 1 (2020)
Troublesome Fire (2022)
Two-Lane Blacktop (2013)
Urban Light (2021)
With Soul Serene (2019)
Zephyrus (Flex instrumentation) (2019)

Resources

Creative Repertoire Initiative
James David website Accessed 27 June 2020
Pease, Andy. "Lookfar by James M. David." Wind Band Literature, 28 October 2020. Web. Accessed 28 October 2020
Perusal score