Lullaby for Kirsten
General Info
Year: 1985
Duration: c. 3:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: C.F. Peters
Cost: Score & Parts - $72.00 | Score Only - $38.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute I-II-III
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III-IV
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra-Alto Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Harp
Percussion (3 players), including:
- Bell tree
- Glockenspiel (or Orchestra Bells)
- Tam-tam
- Vibraphone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Lullaby ( for Kirsten) was premiered by the University of Michigan Symphony Band under the direction of H. Robert Reynolds on October 4th 1985. The piece was composed in celebration of the birth of Reynold’s second daughter, Kirsten. It was the student members of the University of Michigan Band who sponsored the commission -- an outstanding gesture and testament to the impact H. Robert Reynolds had upon his students.
The piece itself is beautifully crafted. Lullaby ( for Kirsten) utilizes dynamic and stylistic elements of a traditional lullaby, but engages with a tonal language more adventurous than what is typically expected from a children’s lullaby. The piece enjoys a simple structure including five somewhat brief sections, each utilizing the same four-note motive as an entry into the primary melody. Each iteration explores elements of expansion and contraction, both dynamically and in phrase structure, as the thematic material is reimagined with each repetition. In the final moments of the piece, there is a return to the delicate internal style -- a fragile moment reminiscent of calming a child gently to sleep.
At the premier, the composer reported that “Kirsten was present and seemed to approve.”
- Program Note from Florida State University Concert Band concert program, 14 April 2022
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- University of Nebraska (Lincoln) Wind Ensemble (Carolyn Barber, conductor) - 30 November 2022
- Texas Tech University (Lubbock) Concert Band (Joel Pagán, conductor) - 25 April 2022
- Florida State University (Tallahassee) Concert Band (Steven N. Kelly, conductor) - 14 April 2022
- California State University, Stanislaus, Wind Ensemble (Stuart Sims, conductor) - 7 December 2021
- Texas Tech University (Lubbock) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Sarah McKoin, conductor) - 5 May 2021
- University of Southern California Thornton Wind Ensemble (H. Robert Reynolds, conductor) - 28 October 2016
- University of Michigan Concert Band (Courtney Snyder, conductor) - 9 February 2015
- Indiana University Symphonic Band (Eric M. Smedley, conductor) - 18 November 2014
- The Hart School (Hartford, Conn.) Wind Ensemble (H. Robert Reynolds, conductor) – 31 March 2007 (CBDNA 2007 National Conference, Ann Arbor, Mich.)
- California State University, Stanislaus, Wind Ensemble (Stuart Sims, conductor) – 15 March 2006 (CBDNA 2006 Western/Northwestern Division Conference, Reno, Nev.)
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) Symphony Band (H. Robert Reynolds, conductor) - 4 October 1985 *Premiere Performance*
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Colors and Contours (1984)
- Concerto Grosso for Brass Quintet with Wind and Percussion Ensemble (1982)
- Designs, Images, and Textures (1964)
- Fantasy for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble (1986)
- Lullaby for Kirsten (1985)
- Nonet (c. 1967)
- Sounds, Shapes, and Symbols (1977)
- Wood and Reed Transformed (1998)
Resources
- Miles, Richard B., and Larry Blocher. 2002. Teaching Music Through Performance in Band. Volume 4. Chicago: GIA Publications. pp. 498-501.