Rusted Heart, The

Troy Armstrong

General Info

Year: 2017
Duration: c. 4:40
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Skyward Harmony Publications
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $95.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet (optional)
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
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass (optional)
Timpani
Percussion, including:

Bass Drum
Metal Pieces, suspended (4)
Sizzle Cymbal
Tam-Tam, large
Vibraphone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

When driving through the Midwest, one comes across many rusted towns, places where there seemingly hasn’t been a new building constructed in decades. The signs are faded, half the buildings appear empty, and everything has a patina in these rural hamlets. As I drive through these towns, I often find a sense of melancholy comes over me.

But I also know the spirit of these places are still alive even though they may be in a state of decay. I can't help but love the rust. I acknowledge and cherish all of the history and culture, all of the music and art that this patina has grown over. If the soul of America is in these places, then why did we let them corrode? This led me to ask this question that prompted this solemn yet hopeful musical piece for winds and percussion: “Can a rusted heart still beat?”

- Program Note by composer

Commissioned by the Blue Valley West Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Cheryl Lee, Director

- Program Note from score

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Park Hill South High School Wind Ensemble (Craig Miller, conductor)

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Alamosa (Colo.) State University Wind Ensemble (Angela Winter, conductor) – 18 October 2018

Works for Winds by This Composer

Blue Valley Southwest High School Fight Song and Alma Mater (2011)
Circles (2002)
Dense Wood, The (2009)
How the Old Mountains Drip with Sunset (2012)
Indistinct Awakenings (2009)
Life Is But a Dream (2014)
Myst (2008)
Ozark Folk Song Suite (2015)
The Rusted Heart (2017)

Resources

Perusal score
Troy Armstrong website Accessed 18 October 2018