Renascence (Reed)

From Wind Repertory Project
H. Owen Reed

H Owen Reed


General Info

Year: 1957 / 1998
Duration: c. 9:15
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Mills Music
Cost: Score and Parts (digital) - $125.00   |   Score Only (digital) - $13.00

For availability information, see Discussion tab, above.


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
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Celeste
Timpani
Percussion I-II, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Commissioned by Mark Hindsley and the University of Illinois Band in 1958, this three-part work is based on a three-note motive and is a showcase of contrapuntal writing. It is inspired by the 1917 Edna St. Vincent Millay poem of the same name. The number 5 is fundamental to the music, from its 5/4 meter to the intervals used. The music builds throughout and is able to sustain the long line so uncommon in many band works of today. Beautifully crafted, with big emotional power.

- Program Note from publisher


Reed states, "Its [the poem's] philosophical orientation appeared to be just the motivation I needed for the kind of work I wanted to write." Renascence is one of Reed's least performed works, and he considers it to be a "scholarly work" because it uses techniques from the twelve-tone system. Reed states, "It is tonal, but uses all twelve tones freely in both vertical and linear structures."

The word "renascence" is defined as the revival of something that have been dormant. Completed October 25, 1957, Renascence was composed during a period of repertoire development for the wind band. When asked about the commission, Reed stated, "I was happy to have the opportunity to write this work at a time when university bands were moving away from transcriptions and into serious and more difficult contemporary works."

- Program Note from Teaching Music Through Performance in Band


Commercial Discography


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • H. Owen Reed website Accessed 14 September 2017
  • McKinney, Donald J. "Renascence." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 6, edit. & comp. by Richard Miles, 530-540. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2007.
  • Perusal score
  • Reed H. (1959). Renascence: For Concert Band [score]. Mills Music: New York.