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Machine Awakes, The (flex)

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Steven Bryant

Steven Bryant


Subtitle: Five-Voice Adaptable Ensemble + Electronics


General Info

Year: 2012 / 2020
Duration: c. 5:40
Difficulty: II (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Gorilla Salad Productions
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $50.00


Instrumentation (Flexible)

Full Score
Part 1

  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • B-flat Trumpet
  • Violin

Part 2

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

Part 3

  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone
  • B-flat Tenor Saxophone
  • Horn in F
  • Violin
  • Viola

Part 4

  • Bassoon
  • B-flat Tenor Saxophone
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Horn in F
  • Cello

Part 5

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

Piano/Guitar (optional)
Timpani (optional)
Percussion (optional), including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Glockenspiel
  • Marimba
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam
  • Tenor Drum
  • Vibraphone

Electronics


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The Machine Awakes is the sound of something not human (but of humans hands) -- something not entirely organic, but most definitely alive -- waking for the first time. From the opening swirling textures, we sense the first hesitant sparks of thought, attempting to find form and coherence. This new machine -- sentient, aware -- comes fully awake, possessed of emphatic self-determination and unfathomable purpose.

- Program Note from publisher


Performance Notes

Set includes the following parts. You will need at least one player for each part listed (five players, minimum). You may assign them using your best judgement about balance and skill level, and I encourage you to experiment in rehearsal, even with combinations that may not sound particularly good. This can be just as instructive for the musicians! I intend for this version of The Machine Awakes to be an experimental playground and a vehicle for you and your ensemble (of whatever size and instrumental combination) to experience how music is far more than the notes on the page. I hope that through this exercise, the musicians will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of their choices on how we hear a piece of music, and ultimately that they transfer this awareness to their future musical performances.

The music is mostly based on a rising minor scale. Alternate octaves and more difficult passages are included in selected parts for more advanced musicians (notated as small, cue-sized notes), but these are entirely optional. The piece is fairly malleable, so if there’s a particular passage that your musicians cannot master, that shouldn’t rule out the work.


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • National Concert Band of America (Washington, D.C.) (Adrian Holton, conductor) - 24 October 2021
  • Oklahoma State University (Stillwater) University Band (Andres Labastida, conductor) - 22 April 2021
  • University of Dubuque (Iowa) Concert Band (Cassandra Blanchard, conductor) - 24 February 2021


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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