Syzygy

From Wind Repertory Project
Robby Good

Robby Good


General Info

Year: 2018
Duration: c. 8:15
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Robby Good
Cost: Score and Parts - $150.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
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
Flugelhorn
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-VIII, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Crotales
  • Flexatone
  • Glockenspiel
  • Gong
  • Hi-Hat
  • Kick Drum
  • Marimba
  • Ratchet
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Thunder Sheet
  • Tom-Toms (4)
  • Vibraphone
  • Whip
  • Wind Chimes
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

“Syzygy” is a rare word, usually found as an astronomical term. It is defined as “the alignment of three celestial bodies,” typically in reference to the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun, such as in the form of a full moon, a new moon, or, in this particular case, an eclipse. On August 21, 2017, the entirety of North America and regions of the neighboring countries and continents stopped to bear witness to a total solar eclipse, an event that is about as rare as the title of this piece. In that small window of time, there was an incredible unity of mankind, all sharing a single, beautiful moment together in this giant shadow.

After that event, I realized that music was the perfect parallel: when people listen to music, for that brief moment, they let themselves out of their shackles and put aside their judgments to allow their emotions to escape. In summation, that is exactly what music can so easily be: a momentary escape into absolute freedom. During this astronomical alignment, this “syzygy,” everybody seemed to have the same idea, and really, what a great idea it was. After all, what better place could someone choose to escape all of their problems in than space?

- Program Note by composer


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • California State University, Northridge, Wind Ensemble (Lawrence Stoffel, conductor) – 27 November 2018
  • William S. Hart High School (Santa Clarita, Calif.) Wind Ensemble (Anthony Bailey, conductor) - 15 May 2018 *Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Lawrence Stoffel, personal correspondence, December 2018
  • Robby Good, personal correspondence, December 2018