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Steampunk Suite

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Erika Svanoe

Erika Svanoe (transcribed by the composer)


General Info

Year: 2015 / 2016
Duration: c. 15:35
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Chamber Ensemble
Publisher: Erika Svanoe
Cost: Score and Parts - $200 (digital); $250 (print)


Movements

1. Charlie and the Mechanical Man Marching Band - 3:50
2. The Strange Case of Dr. Curie and Madam Hyde - 3:45
3. Bertie Wells attends Mr. Verne's Lecture on Flying Machines - 3:48
4. Barnum & Tesla's Tandem Bicycle 2:45


Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Clarinet I-II-III
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone I-II
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet I-II-III
Horn I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Double Bass
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Steampunk refers to a subgenre of science fiction and sometimes fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery. It places an emphasis on steam- or spring-propelled gadgets. The most common historical steampunk settings are often set in the Victorian era, but in an alternative history where technology employs steam power. It may, therefore, be described as neo-Victorian. Steampunk features retro-futuristic inventions as people in the 19th century might have envisioned them, and is likewise rooted in the era's perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art. Such technology may include fictional machines like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. (Wikipedia)

Steampunk Suite attempts to depict various scenes that take place in a fictional alternate history that features notable people alive in the Victorian era, including Charles Ives, Marie Curie, H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, P.T. Barnum and Nikola Tesla. It borrows from popular music of the era, including the cakewalk, march, and waltz, and combines them with sounds of clockwork and imagined steam technology. It also borrows various musical elements from numerous composers of time, including Ives, Sousa, Satie, Karl King, Stravinsky, and Weill, with some Khachaturian and Danny Elfman thrown in for good measure. This piece has been transcribed for wind ensemble from the original chamber work Steampunk Scenes by the composer.

- Program Note by Erika Svanoe


Steampunk Suite for band was adapted from Steampunk Scenes for chamber ensemble. The fanciful titles of each of the four movements:

  • Charlie and the Mechanical Man Marching Band
  • The Strange Case of Dr. Curie and Madam Hyde
  • Bertie Wells attends Mr. Verne’s lecture on flying machines
  • Barnum and Tesla’s Tandem Bicycle

pay homage to the literary genre of steampunk. Steampunk has many variations but is most often defined as neo-Victorian. In these works, steam power dominates technology, and there is often an anachronistic element involved. Some examples of the genre include alternative history set in the British Victorian era, or a post-apocalyptic future where steam power is still used to power our modern technology. As seen in the movement titles of Svanoe’s composition, inspiration is drawn from famous figures of the Victorian era and their inventions to create a quirky composition. She relies on musical traditions and forms from the past while infusing those traditions with modern techniques to create a unique and fun composition.

- Program Note by composer


Commercial Discography

None discovered thus far.


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • University of Colorado Boulder Symphonic Band (Branden Steinmetz, conductor) – 28 February 2020
  • Association of Texas Small School Bands (ATSSB) Symphonic Band (Eugene Migliaro Corporon, conductor) - 15 February 2020 (2020 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)
  • Westchester Symphonic Winds (Tarrytown, N.Y.) (Curt Ebersole, conductor) – 9 February 2020
  • Baylor University (Waco, Texas) Symphonic Band (Isaiah Odajima, conductor) – 7 February 2020
  • Purdue Fort Wayne (Ind.) Symphonic Band (Daniel Tembras, conductor) – 5 December 2019
  • Western Carolina University (Cullowhee, N.C.) Wind Ensemble (Margaret Underwood, conductor)– 15 November 2019
  • University of Southern Main (Gorham) Concert Band (Jackie Townsend, conductor) – 5 October 2019
  • University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) New Music Ensemble (Benjamin Lorenzo, conductor) – 30 April 2019
  • Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah) Wind Symphony (Don L. Peterson, conductor) – 12 April 2019
  • Spartan Youth Wind Symphony (East Lansing, Mich.) (Arris Golden, conductor) – 2 December 2018
  • Ball State University (Muncie, Ind.) Wind Ensemble (Caroline Hand, conductor) – 30 November 2018
  • Lone Star Wind Orchestra (Dalla, Tx.) (Eugene Migliaro Corporon, conductor) – 29 April 2018
  • Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah) Wind Symphony (Don L. Peterson, conductor) – 13 April 2018
  • University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire Wind Symphony (John R. Stewart, conductor) – 10 March 2018
  • State University of New York, Potsdam, Crane Wind Ensemble (Brian K. Doyle, conductor) – 14 February 2018
  • California State University, Stanislaus, Wind Ensemble (Alicia Wilson, conductor)– 8 December 2017
  • Texas Christian University (Fort Worth) Wind Symphony (Bobby R. Francis, conductor) – 25 April 2017
  • The Ohio State University (Columbus) Wind Symphony (Emily C. Threinen, Andrew Mast, Brian K. Doyle, conductors) - 9 March 2017 (82nd Annual ABA National Convention)
  • The Ohio State University (Columbus) Wind Symphony (Russell C. Mikkelson, conductor) – 7 March 2017


Works for Winds by this Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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