Swiftriver Passage
General Info
Year: 2015
Duration: c. 5:40
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Eighth Note Publications
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $75.00 | Score Only (print) - $10.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
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
Timpani
Percussion, including:
- Bass Drum
- Bells
- Chimes
- Crash Cymbals
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
This interesting work, winner of the 2014 Canadian Band Association Composition Competition, is intended to bring to mind three images: the flowing of water down the Saskatchewan River, the passage of time for the people connected to the river, and a rite of passage as the modern community enters its second century.
A broad majestic opening with brief solos by clarinet and alto saxophone introduces a slow cantabile section with occasional changing meters. A slightly faster, thinly scored passage with solos for flute and alto saxophone leads to a fast, driving section introduced by solo snare drum. The intensity builds as instruments are added while the piece moves through fast shifting meters and contrasting textures before arriving at a soft, reflective closing section introduced by solo clarinet, bringing the work to a sensitive conclusion.
- Program Note from The Instrumentalist
Swiftriver Passage was commissioned by the North Battleford High School Concert Band and the Living Sky School Division for the Centennial Celebrations of the City of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, in 2013.
- Program Note from score
Awards
- Canadian Band Association Composition Competition, 2014, winner
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- York University (Toronto, Ont., Can.) Wind Symphony (Pratik Gandhi, conductor) - 3 December 2023
- Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) Concert Band (Wendy McCallum, conductor) – 26 February 2016 (CBDNA 2016 North Central Division Conference, Ames, Iowa)
- Intermediate Band, International Music Camp (International Peace Gardens, Manitoba) (John Darling, conductor) 28 July 2015
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Colors and Contrasts of Grief, The (2015)
- Follow the First Wind (2023)
- Middle of Somewhere (2023)
- Swiftriver Passage (2015)
- Three Dawn Scenes in Summer (2012)
- Wandering and Fading of a Hymn, The (2012)
- Winter Music (2013)
Resources
- "New Music Reviews." The Instrumentalist 70.5 (2015): 47-48. Print
- Paul Suchan website