Steeple
Michael Hopkins
About this work:
This piece is a musical depiction of an elegant New England steeple. The music reflects the detail and proportions of the steeple, the symbolism embedded in the numerous geometric shapes, the sounds that one might find inside and outside the steeple – bells, organs, swirling rising flourishes, echoes, and the emotions that the steeple must witness – all of the joys and sorrows that people bring to it. The piece freely moves between 3/2 and 6/4, although there are many parts of the piece where some members of the orchestra are playing in a 3/2 feel at the same time others are in 6/4.
Year composed: 2004
Duration: 00:09:52
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Standard Orchestra
Instrumentation: 3 Flute, 2 Oboe, 1 English Horn, 2 Clarinet, 1 Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 1 Contrabassoon, 4 Horn in F, 3 Trumpet, 3 Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 4 Percussion (General), 1 Celesta, 1 Strings (General), 1 Harp
Instrumentation notes: Flute 3 doubles on piccolo; Percussion required: Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Crash Cymbals, Splash or Thin Crash cymbal, Triangle, Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Tubular Bells.