Toward the Hour Arises New Light
Subtitle: For Solo Cello and Chamber Wind Ensemble
General Info
Year: 2017
Duration: c. 11:10
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Boss Music Studios
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II (II doubles English Horn)
Bassoon I-II (II doubles Contrabassoon)
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet (doubles Clarinet III)
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Percussion I-II-III, including:
- Bass Drum
- Crotales
- Marimba
- Suspended Cymbal, medium
- Tam-Tam
- Temple Blocks
- Triangle
- Xylophone
Solo Violincello
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Toward the Hour Arises First Light was written to portray the images seen and feelings felt as a common bystander reflects on the colorful scenery depicted one hour before sunrise, commonly known as twilight. Consequently, this work is equally dependent on the lyrical and independent lines of the soloists as it is on the ambient mood evoked by the ensemble as a whole. The work features solo cello, whose rich teneroso tone adds to the colors depicted in the overall lush and reflective music.
The first section sets the mood of the early morning colors subtly painted by the sun’s rays and continues into a lush section of rising chordal gestures. Following a reflective cadenza in the solo cello, the work increases momentum and transitions into a livelier section featuring dancelike rhythms and spritely ostinatos while retaining a sense of lyricism. This characterizes that dawn is now upon us, as the morning rays have fully engulfed the sky and the day’s busyness begins. After a small climax, the work settles into another cello cadenza and transitions toward the recapitulation, this time more mellow and passionate, as if the day is coming to an end. A brief passage of night music embodies the somber coda. A very brief and illuminating restatement of B in the last few measures creates a sense of a never-ending cycle, as each day begins with the same evocative and mesmerizing colors as the sun’s first rays begin to lightly touch the early morning sky and restart the day.
This work was written for Mack Wood and the members of this consortium with hopes of adding interest and excitement of collaboration between the university band and string departments.
- Program Note from score
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Kennesaw (Ga.) State University Wind Ensemble (David T. Kehler, conductor; Charae Krueger, cello) – 7 February 2019
- Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge) Chamber Winds (Mack Wood, conductor; Raudol Palacios, cello) – 12 March 2018 *Premiere Performance*
Works for Winds by This Composer
- À la Machaut (2015)
- Ancestral Rumors (2019)
- Blood Moon Ablaze (2018)
- Hero (2019)
- In Adventu Finalem (2017)
- Millennial Inception
- Moments of Silence (2016)
- Sound Asleep (2017)
- Star Gazing (2017)
- Tetelestai (2014)
- Toward the Hour Arises New Light (2018)
- Until Morning Come (2018)
Resources
- Andrew Boss, personal correspondence, March 2018
- Andrew Boss website Accessed 14 March 2018
- Perusal Score