Essay
Allen Brings
About this work:
Essay for band is a study in sharply defined contrasts, contrasts between loud and soft, fast and slow, short and sustained, heavy and light, dense and thin, contrapuntal and chordal. Its three principal affections might be characterized as aggressive, whimsical, and meditative. The form is based on a three-part plan in which an intervening slow section framed by sustained polychords is followed by a return to the material of the first fast section. The outer parts are based on two motives, the second rather like an ascending
arpeggio, which are sometimes developed together in the last section. After a final climax the piece concludes softly as if in dissolution.
Essay was completed in October, 1970, and first performed by the Queens College Band conducted by Lawrence Eisman on May 13, 1971.
A condensed score of Essay is also available from the publisher, Seesaw Music Corp.
Version: concert band
Year composed: 1970
Duration: 00:04:00
Ensemble type: Band:Concert band
Instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 1 Flute, 1 Oboe, 1 Eb Clarinet, 3 Clarinet, 1 Alto Clarinet, 1 Bass Clarinet, 1 Bassoon, 2 Alto Saxophone, 1 Tenor Saxophone, 1 Baritone Saxophone, 4 Horn in F, 2 Trumpet, 3 Cornet, 2 Trombone, 1 Bass Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Euphonium/Tenor Tuba, 1 Timpani, 3 Percussion (General), 1 Double bass