|
Help keep the WRP alive by making a small donation. Visit here to find out more.
|
Testament
Contents |
General Info
Year: 2001
Duration: c. 13:30
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Carl Fischer Music
Cost: Rental Only - Contact Publisher for Price
Instrumentation
Full Score (manuscript)
Piccolo
Flute I-II-III
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon (optional)
Eb Soprano Clarinet
Bb Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
Bb Bass Clarinet
Eb Contra-Alto Clarinet
Alto Sax I-II (AS 1 doubles the optional Soprano Sax part)
Tenor Sax
Baritone Sax
Trumpet (in Bb) I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tubas
String Bass
Piano
Siren (optional)
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V-VI, including:
- Anvil
- Bass Drum
- Cabasa
- Cymbal (1 large suspended, 1 pair crash)
- Glockenspiel
- Gong (medium)
- Marimba
- Snare Drum
- Tam-tam
- Temple Blocks
- Tom Set
- Tubular Bells
- Vibraphone
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
A testament is a statement of belief, in this case in the power of music to harmonize and to heal. Testament was written in response to the events of 9/11. Out of the initial stunned confusion has come my firm conviction that making music is now more important than ever. In preparing to compose this piece I wrote the following poetic statement. It is both a prayer and a credo.
When I consider the darkness that we carry,
the pain we inflict – on those close to us, and on those
we don’t even know,
the death we bring through rage, ignorance and indifference,
I say “Please God, help us to melt the rage into love,
And love into understanding and acceptance.”
When I consider a world where we are at each other’s mercy,
where evil can be done to anyone, by anyone, anywhere,
I say “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those
who trespass against us.”
Teach us how to forgive; teach us how to be forgiven,
because it is not a simple business...
When I consider music, my center, my life,
the great harmonizer, the channel of living energy,
the open channel of the soul, God’s voice in each of us,
bringing souls all over the world to peaceful union,
a living past, a living present, a living future,
I say “How beautiful it is! How beautiful it is!
How beautiful it is!”
Testament was commissioned by a consortium of high schools and universities headed by Joseph Grzybowski, Director of Bands at L.D. Bell High School, Hurst, Texas.
Program Note by David Maslanka
Commercial Discography
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Recent Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Florida State University Symphonic Band (Nikk Pilato, conductor) - 19 April 2006
Additional Works for Winds by this Composer
- Child's Garden of Dreams, A (1981)
- Concerto for Alto Saxophone (2000)
- Concerto for Marimba (1990)
- Concerto for Piano, Winds, and Percussion (1979)
- Concerto for Trombone and Wind Ensemble(2007)
- Four Pieces for Band (1980)
- Give Us This Day (Short Symphony) (2005)
- Golden Light (1990)
- Heart Songs (2001)
- Hell's Gate (1997)
- In Memoriam (1990)
- Laudamus Te (1995)
- Mass (1996)
- Montana Music: Chorale Variations (1993)
- Morning Star (1997)
- Mother Earth (2008)
- Prelude on a Gregorian Tune(1981)
- Quintet for Winds Number 2
- Rollo Takes a Walk (1980)
- Sea Dreams for Two Horns and Wind Ensemble (1998)
- Song Book for Flute and Wind Ensemble (2001)
- Symphony No. 2 (1987)
- Symphony No. 3 (1991)
- Symphony No. 4 (1993)
- Symphony No. 5 (2000)
- Symphony No 7 (2004)
- Symphony No. 9 (2011)
- Tears (1994)
- Testament (2001)
- Traveler (2003)
- A Tuning Piece: Songs of Fall and Winter (1995)
- UFO Dreams: Concerto for Euphonium (1999)
- Variants on a Hymn Tune (1995)
Additional Resources
