Syzygy (Cuong) (flex)

From Wind Repertory Project
Viet Cuong

Viet Cuong


General Info

Year: 2019 / 2020
Duration: c. 1:35
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Murphy Music Press
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $75.00


Instrumentation (Flexible)

Full Score
Part 1

  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • B-flat Trumpet

Part 2

  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone
  • B-flat Tenor Saxophone
  • Horn in F

Part 3

  • Bassoon
  • B-flat Bass Clarinet
  • E-flat Baritone Saxophone
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Tuba

Timpani (optional)
Percussion (optional), including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

"Syzygy" is a term used in astrology to describe interesting configuration of three or more celestial bodies, such as the sun, earth and moon. My piece begins with every instrument playing the same melody together, as if they're planets in alignment. Afterward, the band is divided into three groups, and their entrances on this same melody are staggered. (The fancy musical term for this sort of writing is a "canon" – think Row, Row, Row Your Boat.) By both aligning and staggering the melody in various ways, I hope to represent different formations that celestial bodies can create while in orbit, from perfect eclipses to zigzag-like formations.

Syzygy was commissioned by Sam Fritz, director of the Center Grove Middle School Bands, and Ashley Carney, director of the Zionsville Middle School Orchestras, as part of a group commission with the Blue Dot Collective.

- Program Note by composer


Performance Notes

This piece is written in three parts, and you are free to assign players to any part, as long as all three parts are covered somewhere in the ensemble. With a being said, much of this piece uses canonic writing, and I believe it sounds best when the registers are clearly defined between the three parts.

The percussion parts are optional, and you are welcome to use one, some or all of them. You are also welcome to have your percussionists play any of the three concert-pitch wind parts on various mallet instruments.


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

  • Syzygy (Flex instrumentation) (2019/2020)


All Wind Works


Resources