Open Space

From Wind Repertory Project
Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages


General Info

Year: 2014
Duration: c. 9:15
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: FJH Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $100.00   |   Score Only - $15.00


Movements

1. Launch
2. Floating, Yet Falling
3. Spacewalk - 3:15


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass 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
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Snare Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Bells
  • Chimes
  • China Cymbals
  • Marimba
  • Sandpaper Blocks
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Experience the International Space Station through the power of music. This epic three-movement work musically depicts several astronauts' first-hand accounts of launch, first experiences of floating, and a breathtaking spacewalk. Movements include Launch; Floating, yet Falling; and Spacewalk.

-Program Note from publisher


Balmages said this about Open Space:

This piece is easily one of the most intriguing pieces I have written in my career as a composer. It is inspired by a friend of mine, G. Reid Wiseman, who is an astronaut with NASA. Wiseman spent two years preparing to launch and spent six months on the International Space Station, where he actually was when Open Space was premiered.

The piece is broken into three movements, each dealing with a specific aspect of his mission. The third movement, Spacewalk, was inspired by the following comment: 'If I get to do a spacewalk, that will certainly be the absolute highlight of the mission -- the scariest, most intense, and probably the most rewarding. And the view when outside in a spacesuit ... the only thing between you and Earth is a two-mm thick piece of glass. Wow.'

Open Space was commissioned by the American School Band Directors Association and was primered at the 60th ASBDA National Conference in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

- Program Note by the Utah Wind Symphony


Commissioned by the American School Band Directors Association for friend and astronaut Reid Wiseman.

= Program Note from score


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