Pale, The

Donnacha Dennehy

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Subtitle: For Eight Players

General Info

Year: 2003
Duration: c. 11:20
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Wise Music Classical
Cost: Score and Parts - Rental

Instrumentation

Full Score
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
Percussion (4 players)

(percussion detail desired)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The “Pale” was the area encompassing Dublin and its environs where British rule was at its strongest in the 14th century. In fact they even protected this area with ditches and fences to keep the barbarous, thuggish Irish out -- the great unwashed were, as the phrase became, “beyond the pale.”

I wanted to write obsequious, fawning music to glorify the wisdom of our great and holy leaders in their attempts to build new Pales for the twenty-first century. With healthy bounding major chords and stirring marches I could in my own small way honor their omnipotence and visionary leadership. However, like the original Pale, I failed. Well, at least, only 700 years later, things are starting to work out. This piece may fawn more 700 years from now too.

- Program Note by composer

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

Michigan State University (East Lansing) Chamber Players - 29 October 2020
PRISM Quartet and Sō Percussion (Brooklyn, N.Y.) – 7 June 2016
Aurelia Saxophone Quartet, Slagwerkgroepdenhaag (Amsterdam, Neth.) – 11 May 2003 *Premiere Performance*

Works for Winds by This Composer

Broken Unison (2017)
Fold (2008)
Mild, Medium-Lasting, Artificial Happiness (2004)
The Pale (2003)
Surface Tension (205)

Resources

Donnacha Dennehy website Accessed 28 October 2020