Pacem

From Wind Repertory Project
Robert Spittal

Robert Spittal


Subtitle: A Hymn for Peace


General Info

Year: 2005
Duration: c. 3:50
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Robert Spittal
Cost: Score and Parts - $60.00   |   Score Only - $7.95


Instrumentation

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

  • Bells
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tubular Bells (or Chimes)
  • Wind Chimes


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

From a lyrically introspective opening to an emphatic climax, this songful work reflects the scope of the struggle for personal and universal peace.

- Program Note from publisher


As is the case with most of my compositions, I wrote Pacem – A Hymn for Peace for a friend who also happens to be a musician. The work was composed for Patrick Brooks and his wind ensemble at Idaho State University. The thematic structures of the piece are based on the second movement of my Consort for Ten Winds, which impressed at a chamber recording session I led in 1999. I intended Consort to be a contemporary reflection of older music, and for the second movement to reflect the beautiful, imitative motet style of the Renaissance composers I admire, such as Josquin Des Prez and Palestrina. While many of the stylistic and inherently lyrical elements of Consort are retained in Pacem (the title in Latin for "peace"), the large-scale instrumental forces of the symphonic wind ensemble presented opportunities to expand the music proportions of Pacem. Rather than simply an "arrangement" of the earlier chamber work. Pacem became an original piece unto itself. The musical propositions of Pacem range from the introspective to the epic, reflecting the scope of humanity's persistent, hopeful and often difficult struggle toward the realization of personal and universal peace.

Pacem is a musical expression of humankind’s desire for universal peace among all people, as well as the personal peace that comes from within. “Pacem” is the Latin word for “peace.” The choice of Latin is significant for two reasons: 1) as a kind of tribute to the Franco-Flemish Renaissance composers, whose music strongly influenced this work, and 2) as a symbol of the universality of humankind’s desire for peace –- a collective desire that cuts across geographic, religious, ethnic, historical, or other boundaries. The reflective, more peaceful moments in the work represent our hope for personal peace. The stronger, maestoso statements of the main theme convey a hopeful optimism for the realization of peace among all people. Other statements are more conflicted and ambiguous and remind us that achieving universal peace requires persistence and struggle, and that it remains an unrealized challenge in the world.

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

  • Kansas: IV
  • Louisiana: III
  • Maryland: IV
  • Michigan: Senior High C
  • Texas: III. Complete


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Central Michigan University (Mount Pleasant) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Eric Stasshofer, conductor) - 21 November 2023
  • The Ohio State University (Columbus) University Band (Joshua Reynolds, conductor) - 23 February 2023
  • University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) North Star Campus Band (Lauren Visel, conductor) - 30 November 2022
  • Michigan State University (East Lansing) Campus Band (Andrew Bohn, conductor) - 16 November 2022
  • University of Utah (Salt Lake City) Symphonic Band (Timothy Sexton, conductor) - 29 September 2021
  • Metropolitan Music Community (Brooklyn, N.Y.) Symphonic Band (David Blumenthal, conductor) - 31 July 2021
  • University of Georgia (Athens) Hodgson Symphonic Band (Michael Robinson, conductor) – 10 February 2020
  • Colorado Mesa University (Grand Junction) Wind Symphony (Calvin Hofer, conductor) – 10 May 2019
  • University of Florida (Gainesville) Tuesday/Thursday Concert Band (Chip Birkner, conductor) – 26 February 2019
  • The University of Texas at Tyler Wind Ensemble (Jeffrey Emge, conductor) – 6 December 2018
  • Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, Penn.) Symphony Band (Jason Worzbyt, conductor) – 10 November 2018
  • Texas Woman’s University (Denton) Pioneer White Honor Band (Carter Biggers, conductor) – 10 November 2018
  • Kingsburg (Calif.) High School Wind Ensemble (Mike Schofield, conductor) -16 March 2018 (2018 Sutherland Wind Festival (Fresno, Calif.)
  • University of Nebraska (Lincoln) Wind Ensemble (Carolyn Barber, conductor) – 7 March 2018
  • Indiana State University Wind Symphony (Nikk Pilato, conductor) - 15 February 2018
  • Jacksonville (Alabama) University Wind Ensemble (Artie Clifton, conductor) – 3 December 2017
  • Ouachita Baptist University (Arkadelphia, Ark.) Wind Ensemble (Craig V. Hamilton, conductor) – 30 October 2017
  • University of North Carolina, Greensboro, University Band (Timothy Ellison, conductor) – 28 September 2017
  • University of North Texas (Denton) University Band (Benjamin Blasko, conductor) – 22 February 2017
  • Michigan State University (East Lansing) Spartan Youth Wind Symphony (David Thornton, conductor) – 4 December 2016


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Miles, Richard B., and Larry Blocher. 2007. Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 6. Chicago: GIA, pp. 403.
  • Robert Spittal website
  • Spittal, R. (2005). Pacem: A Hymn for Peace [score]. Boosey & Hawkes: New York.