Passing Bell, The

Warren Benson

General Info

Year: 1974
Duration: c. 9:55
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Edward B. Marks
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $125.00 | Score Only (print) - $15.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II-III
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
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
Piano
Harp
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:

Bass Drum
Bells
Bongos
Chimes
Claves
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Suspended Iron Rods (2)
Tam-Tam
Tom-Tom
Triangle (2)
Vibraphone
Xylophone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The Passing Bell is a dramatic and ethereal composition for the contemporary concert band. The work is "scored with sophisticated harmonies and extended ranges that bring upper woodwinds, horns, and trombones into their upper tessituras. The composer's use of space, time, and rhythm, have never been more impressive. This is a major wind band piece that deserves to take its place among the very finest compositions of our time."

The Passing Bell was commissioned by Weston Noble and Luther College in memory of their concertmaster, Dennis Rathjen, a Norwegian student who died after a brief illness. Warren Benson conducted the premiere by the Luther College Band.

The work begins with a solo clarinet sounding concert C, a symbol prevailing throughout the piece. The material centers around two hymns, Jesus, Meine Zuversicht (Praxix Pietatis Melica, 1653) and Merthyr Tydvil (Irish: We Move in Faith) (Joseph Parry, 1870). The first in C major, is a hymn of hope from the Burial Service in the Lutheran Hymnal; the second in G minor, is a triumphant Welsh hymn of faith.

- Program Note from Program Notes for Band

Although The Passing Bell is listed for wind ensemble, the performing forces required are somewhat larger than most in this category due to a significant number of divided parts within the piece. Additionally, a full complement of percussion instruments is called for, including five different sounding suspended cymbals and two suspended iron rods. Extended sonorities and wide ranges are common in the composition; mature players are required. This piece was commissioned as a tribute to the memory of deceased concertmaster at Luther College, in Decorah, Iowa.

- Program Note from Great Music for Wind Band

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Eastman Wind Ensemble (Mark Davis Scatterday, conductor)
Audio: Reference recording. United States Marine Band (Jason K. Fettig, conductor)
Audio MP3: United Stated Marine Band (John R. Bourgeois, conductor) - 2018

State Ratings

Florida: VI
Texas: V

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

University of Cincinnati (Ohio) College-Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony (Kevin Michael Holzman, conductor) - 10 March 2023
2022 CBDNA Southwest Intercollegiate Honor Band (Waco, Tx.) (Allan McMurray, conductor) – 2 April 2022 (CBDNA 2022 Southwestern Conference, Waco, Tx.)
Penn State University (University Park) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Dennis Glocke, conductor) – 18 October 2019
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) Symphony Band (H. Robert Reynolds, conductor) – 5 April 2019
Texas 5A Symphonic Band (Robert Carnochan, conductor) - 16 February 2019 (2019 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)
Baylor University (Waco, Texas) Wind Ensemble (Eric Wilson, conductor) – 1 February 2019
Charles River Wind Ensemble (Boston, Mass.) (Matthew M. Marsit, conductor) – 18 November 2018
James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Va.) Wind Symphony (Stephen Bolstad, conductor) – 4 October 2017
Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge) Wind Ensemble (Damon S. Talley, conductor) – 1 December 2016
Eastman School of Music (Rochester, N.Y.) Wind Ensemble (Mark Scatterday, conductor) – 2 November 2016
University of Miami (Fla.) Frost Wind Ensemble (Chee Weng Yim, conductor) – 3 December 2015
Eastman Wind Ensemble (Mark Davis Scatterday, conductor) - 3 May 2015
CBDNA Western/Northwestern Division Intercollegiate Band (Reno, Nev.) (Erich Rombach-Kendall, conductor) – 15 March 2012 (CBDNA 2012 Western/Northwestern Division Conference, Reno, Nev.)
Butler University Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble (H. Robert Reynolds, conductor) - 6 October 2007

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adagietto (1992)
The Beaded Leaf (1974)
Concertino for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble (1955)
Danzon-Memory (1991)
Daughter of the Stars (1998)
Dawn's Early Light (1987)
Divertissement No. 1 (1993)
The Drums of Summer (1997)
Ginger Marmalade (1978)
Helix (1966)
The Leaves Are Falling (1964)
Mask of Night (1968)
Meditation on “I Am for Peace” (1990)
The Passing Bell (1974)
Polyphonies for Percussion (1960)
Remembrance (1962)
Recuerdo (1966)
Scherzo, Chorale, and Aria Serena (2002)
Shadow Wood (1968/1993)
The Solitary Dancer (1969)
Star Edge (1965)
Symphony for Drums and Wind Orchestra (1963)
Symphony No. 2, "Lost Songs"
Transylvania Fanfare (1953)
Variations on a Handmade Theme (1961/1976/2015)
Wings (1984)

Resources

Benson, W. (1983). The Passing Bell: For Concert Band [score]. Edward B. Marks Music Co.: Milwaukee, Wisc.
Miles, Richard B., and Larry Blocher. (2010). Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 1. Chicago: GIA Publications. pp. 886-897.
Nicholson, Chad. (2009). Great Music for Wind Band: A Guide to the Top 100 Works in Grades IV, V, VI. Galesville, MD: Meredith Music Publications. pp 122.
Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications, pp. 55