Mechanism

Todd Stalter

General Info

Year: 2014
Duration: c. 3:30
Difficulty: II (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $55.00 | Score Only - $7.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

Bass Drum
Bells
Brake Drum
Hi-Hat/Slap Stick
Jam Block
Snare Drum
Suspended Crash or China Cymbal
Xylophone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The world of machines is all around us: they influence every aspect of our lives. This creative piece allows us to musically enter that mechanized universe. Whether it's the precision workings of the gears and movements of a wind-up watch, or the industrial workings of a monstrous, steam-driven machine, it will transport you into that fascinating world.

-Program Note from publisher

This creative piece allows the listener to musically envision the many different aspects of something that is mechanized, whether it be the precision workings of the tiny and intricate gears and movements of a wind-up watch or clock, or the inner workings of a monstrous, steam-driven machine. The quick passing of staccato rhythmic motives through the band and alternating thin and thick textures illustrate the mechanized precision and different sizes and power of these various machines. Eventually, at the height of its efficiency, our imaginary machine gets a wrench thrown into its works, and it clangs and sputters to a stop after a failed attempt at restarting it.

-Program Note by the Vista Ridge High School Wind Ensemble

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

Vista Ridge High School (Cedar Park, Tx.) Wind Ensemble (Hector Gil, conductor) – 19 December 2014 (2014 Midwest Clinic)

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Escape Route (Flex instrumentation) (2020)

All Wind Works

As the Robin to the Meadow (2006)
The Capital March (as arranger) (1920/2014)
Castles and Dragons (2006)
Christmas Fanfares (2004)
Clouds That Sail in Heaven (2007)
Counterbalance (2013)
Critical Mass (2010)
Cut to the Chase (2012)
The Dragon's Lair (2008)
Dynamo (2015)
Écossaise for Military Band (as arranger)
Escape Route (2020)
Escape Route (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
Fighting Falcon March (2006)
Gather Ye Rosebuds (2019)
Glen Crossing (2010)
Ignition (2011)
In tantum lux (2016)
Knox Bridge Jubilee (2018)
Lightning! (2004)
Loco Motion (2015)
Longthorpe Tower (2019)
March, Opus 108 (as arranger) (1841/2011)
Mechanism (2014)
My Soul a Canvas (2019)
Noel! (2010)
Poème (2007)
Quasars (2009)
Rampage! (2009)
Rephrygeration (2016)
Scramble (2012)
Shadows Unseen (2017)
Shady Grove (2011)
Sketches on a Kentucky Hymn Tune (2005)
Three Welsh Songs (2013)
Then I Saw the Lucent Sky (2008)
Trumpets of Symphony Hall (2012)
Two Renaissance Sketches (2009)
Vier Deutsche Weihnachtslieder (as arranger)
Whirlybird (2013)
Wildflowers (2018)
With Uncommon Valor (2017)

Resources

"New Music Reviews." The Instrumentalist 70.3 (2015): 97. Print