Enlightened City
Robert Paterson
About this work:
The title of this work, Enlightened City, is both literal and figurative. This piece was originally written for the one-hundreth anniversary of the Ithaca High School Orchestra, and is inspired by the glowing city lights that seem to appear from nowhere when driving at night towards Ithaca on Route 13. In a broader sense, the title may refer to any American city that is lit up at night. The title also refers to Ithaca being called "the most enlightened city in America" by Utne Reader magazine. The first title of this work was Bright Horizons, a title chosen by students of the organization that commissioned this work, but I have since reverted back to my original title as it more accurately describes what inspired me. Throughout the work, there are optimistic-sounding dance-like sections, but also others that are colorful and dark, counter-balancing the lighter, brighter moments.
– Robert Paterson
(Revised August, 2008)
Year composed: 2005
Duration: 00:08:00
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Standard Orchestra
Instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn in F, 2 Trumpet, 2 Trombone, 1 Bass Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 3 Percussion (General), 1 Strings (General)
Instrumentation notes: Flute III doubling Piccolo.
Percussion I: Tubular Chimes, Orch. Bells, 4 Concert Tom Toms, Med. Sus. Cym., Med. Tambourine, Med. Wood Block, Med. Triangle, Small Triangle, Anvil. Percussion II: Vibraphone, Orch. Bells, Snare Drum, Med. Crash Cymbals, Med. Sus. Cym., Med. Triangle, 2 Maracas, 2 Flexatones. Percussion III: Concert Bass Drum, Large Tam Tam, Large Crash Cymbals, Med. Sus. Cym., Med. Slap Stick, Med. Triangle, Ratchet.