Red Giant
General Info
Year: 2019
Duration: c. 2:45
Difficulty: II (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Music Pub.
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $58.00; (digital) - $58.00 | Score Only (print) - $8.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion (5 players), including:
- Bass Drum
- Bells
- Crash Cymbals
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
This fast-paced composition depicts a dying star in its final stages of existence as it expands and engulfs everything in its path. A soft, somewhat aggressive opening section builds in intensity as instruments are added. Bold melodies, powerful chords, and driving percussion are followed by a short and soft passage for upper wood- winds featuring an optional flute solo. The intensity then returns in a dramatic final section that concludes the piece.
- Program Note from The Instrumentalist
This piece illustrates one of the final stages of a star in its life cycle. A red giant expands quickly, becoming much larger than the star was for a majority of its lifetime.
- Program Note by Allie Smith for the Keller High School Wind Ensemble concert program, 16 December 2021
Media
State Ratings
- Texas: II. Complete
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Keller (Tx.) High School Wind Ensemble (Mark McGahey, conductor) - 16 December 2021 (2021 Midwest Clinic)
- Irons Junior High School (Conroe, Tx.) Wind Ensemble (Michael Dick, conductor) - 12 February 2021 (2021 TMEA Conference, San Antonio) (Virtual)
Works for Winds by This Composer
- El Manto Dorado (2023)
- Golondrina (2023)
- The Hidden Planet (2018)
- A King’s Celebration (2017)
- Luz y Sombra (2022)
- Mar Y Cielo (2022)
- Mystic Chant (2017)
- Red Giant (2019)
Resources
- "New Music Reviews." The Instrumentalist. 75/2 (October/November 2020), 60. Print.
- Perusal score
- Jorge Vargas website Accessed 25 October 2020