Wind Symphony No. 1

composer:	Nancy Galbraith (1996)
genre:	wind symphony
length:	3 movements, 17:00 minutes
orchestration:	2fl, 2ob, eb-cl, 3cl (at least 2 per part), bs-cl, 2bn; 2a-sax, t-sax, b-sax; 4hn, 4tpt, 3tbn, euph, 2tba; timp, 4perc, pno/synth, string-bass
publisher:	Subito Music Publishing (ASCAP) 60 Depot Street, Verona, NJ 07044 mail@subitomusic.com • 973-857-3440
audio/video:
world premiere:	22 April 1997 ("If Rachael in a Yellow Rose") Waukesha Area Symphonic Band • Larry Harper, conductor Shattuck Music Center, Carroll College; Waukeshau, Wisconsin
program notes:	In three lush and haunting musical landscapes the composer celebrates all the timbres and voices of the complex, colorful machinery of the contemporary wind orchestra. Wind Symphony No. 1 was composed for a commission from the Waukeshau Area Symphonic Band for a benefit concert which celebrated the 20th anniversary of The Women's Center of Waukesha, Wisconsin.
composer's note:	Movement I opens with a pulsating figure in the tuba and bass clarinets, which becomes layered with different elements, creating a polyrhythmic texture. The marimba and xylophone introduce a short melodic phrase that builds into a grand climax that closes the opening section. The middle section develops this melodic phrase and introduces a tonal melody in the flutes which is answered by the horns and saxes. Repeated chords in the brass mark the end of the development and the beginning of the recapitulation. Movement I ends with a piano solo and moves attaca into the second movement.
	The euphonium presents the melodic theme of Movement II. After the saxaphones continue this theme, with the flutes now accompanying, the solo oboe makes a very simple melodic statement which gradually builds into a great climax in the brass. The piano returns, this time accompanying a brass chorale, which fades away closing the second movement.
	Movement III opens with a vivacious driving fanfare. After this material recaps, the piece concludes with the fanfare motive played by the trombones accompanied by the snare drum. — N.G.
press bytes:	...fantastic landscapes — Records International
	Galbraith's music for wind ensemble gives her a chance to show off her considerable skills as an orchestrator of winds and percussion. Her Wind Symphony I is a gaudy creation, imposing in its martial and celebratory granduer. It mixes lush harmonies and minimalist pulsings with gamelan-style superimpositions of long, slow lines over faster ostinatos... — American Record Guide
	...the sound she drew from the CMU Wind Ensemble exhibited a deft understanding of what's the natural best with that instrumentation. — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

recordings:		Nancy Galbraith: Symphonic Winds CD Baby • 2021 • UPC: 6 06638 69968 7 Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble; Donna Amato, piano Denis Colwell, conductor
		Nancy Galbraith ~ Atacama Albany Records • 2003 • TROY556 Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble • Denis Colwell, conductor
		Celebration limited edition • 1997 Waukeshau Area Symphonic Band • Larry Harper, conductor
source:	nancygalbraith.com

All content in nancygalbraith.com: Copyright © by Matthew Galbraith (Unless Noted). All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. All Music Represented in Audio Samples: Copyright © by Subito Music Inc (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured.