Walden

Michael Markowski

General Info

Year: 2011
Duration: c. 4:10
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Markowski Creative
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $120.00 | Score Only (print) - $25.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III-IV
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
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
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

Bass Drum
Chimes
Crash Cymbals
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Vibraphone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Much of the music I have written over the last several years has been a fast, frenetic dreamcatcher of rhythm and texture. While I love this fast-paced electrifying style, it was my friend, Robert Stumpf, who first preached simplicity and, over the years, has continued to urge me to write more lyrically. With Robert’s words still echoing in the back of my head, the idea only recently seemed exciting to explore. I suddenly had the urge to chill out and write something more pastoral — something “simple.”

In an effort to uphold this simplicity, I eventually found myself thinking of Henry David Thoreau’s writings. I even found myself wandering to a neighborhood pond in the late night/ early mornings, before sunrise, perhaps in a feeble attempt to relate, even if for a moment, to the life Thoreau wrote so poetically about over 150 years ago. It seemed only appropriate, therefore, to name this piece after Thoreau’s own liquid sanctuary, Walden. My ideal of Walden, however, isn’t necessarily only calm and tranquil, but is one that is full of life — one that moves with great harmonic and rhythmic motion. There have been other musical arrangements of the same name that are all very transparent and lightly orchestrated that perhaps romanticize the lake’s magical stillness. I hope my interpretation captures a contrasting lushness, vibrance, and animation, complex in the details, but not without a few nods to tranquility. This is how I picture my own Walden to be.

- Program Note by composer

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Kennesaw (Ga.) State University Wind Symphony (Debra Traficante, conductor) – 16 October 2019
Plymouth (N.H.) State University Symphonic Band (Emily Lombardo, conductor) - 2018
California State University, Northridge Wind Ensemble (Lawrence Stoffel, conductor) - 13 October 2011 *Premiere Performance*

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Drawing Mars (Flex instrumentation) (2019/2021)
Finding the Words: ii. Undefined (Flex instrumentation) (2019/2020)

All Wind Works

As Midnight on a Moonless Night (2011)
Blue Ambience (2003)
Brooklyn Air (2016)
Camerado (2013)
The Cave You Fear (2014)
City Trees (2012)
Drawing Mars (2019)
Drawing Mars (Flex instrumentation) (2019/2021)
Dreamland (2011)
Elixir (2012)
Embers (2015)
Famishius Fantasticus (2012)
Finding the Words
Finding the Words: ii. Undefined (Flex instrumentation) (2019/2020)
Forever Summer (2016)
Instinctive Travels (2009)
JoyRiDE (2005/2014)
Machiavelli's Conscience (2017)
Monk by the Sea (2015)
Reckoning (2017)
Remember the Molecules (2013)
Saturn Returns (2014)
Shadow Rituals (2006)
Shine (2010)
Summoning Graces (2019)
Sunny-Side Up (2018)
Tidal Forces (2010)
The Tonic of Wildness (2017)
Turkey in the Straw (2008)
Unfamiliar Territory (2013)
Walden (2011)
You Are Cordially Invited (2016)

Resources

Markowski, M. (2011). Walden for Concert Band [score]. Michael Markowski: [United States].
Michael Markowski website Accessed 17 October 2019
Perusal score