Wings
General Info
Year: 1984
Duration: 5:06
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Carl Fischer
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - Rental
Instrumentation
Piccolo I-II
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
Contrabass Clarinet I-II
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Bass Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Harp
Piano
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:
- Bass Drum (large)
- Chimes
- Crash Cymbals
- Marimba
- Orchestra Bells
- Suspended Cymbal (medium)
- Temple Blocks (4)
- Triangle (small)
- Vibraphone
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Perhaps the title suggests the light and rapid movement of this music, written especially for the inaugural concert of the new president of the University of Rochester, Dennis O'Brien. In keeping with the occasion, the title word is rich with symbolism.
The early Greeks depicted Athena and Aphrodite (wisdom and the arts, love and beauty) with wings. Plato linked wings with intelligence. For some, wings were "the sun of justice." The psalmist speaks of "the wings of the morning," certainly a positive image for new beginnings, and both the beauty and practicality of sailing "wing on wing" is not lost on skippers running smoothly before the wind.
My title celebrates all this on "wynges of the wynde," if you will. The work is dedicated to my dear friend, Donald Hunsberger, sailor, and conductor of the Eastman Wind Ensemble.
- Program Note from score
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Adagietto (1992)
- The Beaded Leaf (1974)
- Concertino for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble (1955)
- Danzon-Memory (1991)
- Daughter of the Stars (1998)
- Dawn's Early Light (1987)
- Divertissement No. 1 (1993)
- The Drums of Summer (1997)
- Ginger Marmalade (1978)
- Helix (1966)
- The Leaves Are Falling (1964)
- Mask of Night (1968)
- Meditation on “I Am for Peace” (1990)
- The Passing Bell (1974)
- Polyphonies for Percussion (1960)
- Remembrance (1962)
- Recuerdo (1966)
- Scherzo, Chorale, and Aria Serena (2002)
- Shadow Wood (1968/1993)
- The Solitary Dancer (1969)
- Star Edge (1965)
- Symphony for Drums and Wind Orchestra (1963)
- Symphony No. 2, "Lost Songs"
- Transylvania Fanfare (1953)
- Variations on a Handmade Theme (1961/1976/2015)
- Wings (1984)
Resources
- Benson, W. (1984). Wings: For Large Wind Ensemble [score]. C. Fischer: New York.
- Girsberger, Russ. Percussion Assignments for Band & Wind Ensemble. Volume I: A-K. Galesburg, MD: Meredith Music Publications, 2004, 34. Print.
- Perusal Score
- Warren Benson website