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Pandemonium
General Info
Year: 2006
Duration: c. 10:50
Difficulty: IV 1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: C Alan / McClaren Productions
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $140.00 | Score Only (print) - $35.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo
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
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:
- Bass Drum
- Bells
- Chimes
- Claves
- Crash Cymbals
- Finger Cymbals
- Guiro
- Slapstick
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
- Tambourine
- Tam-Tam
- Tom-Tom (4)
- Triangle
- Vibraphone
- Vibra-slap
- Wood Block
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
The word ‘pandemonium,’ invented by 17th Century English author John Milton, first appeared in his literary work Paradise Lost. Little would Milton have known that his word creation would be used so commonly in the 21st century. With significant events occurring in contemporary times such as 9/11, the Pacific tsunami, and Hurricane Katrina, the word pandemonium has been commonly attached to the state of riotous uproar, chaos and mass confusion.
With an array of meanings, the word can be defined as: wild lawlessness, utter chaos, a place or scene of uproar or chaos, and more astringently as: the abode of all the demons or even, the capitol of hell. (Note the word ‘demon’ in the center of the word.)
Beyond these definitions, the word can be used in a more personal context and describe a state of being that occurs in our individual lives upon being presented with tragic or startling news—a feeling of confusion and uncertainly. At other times, individuals may feel pandemonium when referring to their busy and overwhelming lifestyles. In yet a different and starker perspective, some individuals believe that demons can possess our lives at times and create a state of pandemonium within one’s being.
Commissioned by the Western/Northwestern divisions of the College Band Directors National Association, Roger Cichy’s composition Pandemonium attempts to paint a wide array of meanings of the term. At times, the music may suggest catastrophic events that that have turned into pandemonium; other times the music may reflect a more subtle disposition and imply pandemonium on an individual level. Sometimes the music is intended to sound confusing and unsettling or eerie and uncertain. Moments also exist when the music sounds riotous or even martial. During one segment of the piece, Cichy has composed a sort of “march of the demons.” In another segment, Cichy refers to it as “the dance of the evil spirits.”
- Program Note from score
Commercial Discography
Media
State Ratings
- North Carolina: VI
- Tennessee: VI
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- San Francisco Wind Ensemble (Anthony Mazzaferro, conductor) – 6 May 2017
- Brooklyn (N.Y.) Wind Symphony (Jeff Ball, conductor) – 29 October 2016
- University of Hawaii Symphonic Band – 20 April 2009
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Amazing Grace (as arranger) (1779/2014)
- American Band Salute (2009?)
- and make a joyous sound
- Breakthrough
- Bugs (2000)
- Colours (1997)
- Divertimento for Winds and Percussion (1994)
- El Caballero (2000)
- Emblazoned Joy (2019/2021)
- Fanfare for a Festive Day (1996)
- Festival!
- First Flights
- Flowing Pens from Concord (2013)
- For Purple Mountain Majesties (2005)
- Galilean Moons (1996)
- Geometric Dances (2007)
- The Golden Baton March
- Hats Off (2016)
- Interpretations
- Maestro
- New Millennium, Different World, New Beginnings (2004)
- Pandemonium (2006)
- Quartets (2006/2012)
- Rachmaninoff Prelude (as arranger)
- Silhouette
- Sounds, Sketches, and Ideas (2002)
- T. Rex
- We Walked with Heads Held High (2006)
- Windsicle (2006)
- Wisconsin Soundscapes
- Wizards
Resources
- Cichy, R. (2006). Pandemonium [score]. C. Alan: Greensboro, N.C.
- Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music. "Roger Cichy." Accessed 22 October 2016
- Perusal score
- Roger Cichy website Accessed 22 October 2016