Encircled
Jonathan Dagenais
Ensemble: Concert Band
Grade: 4
Duration: 10:45
Year of Composition: 2016
Commissioned by: Cercle Philharmonique de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Publisher: Eighth Note
Year of Publication: 2017
Publisher Catalog Number: CB17336
Available: Yes
How to Acquire: Publisher, Purchase
Links:
Piccolo
Flutes 1,2
Oboes 1,2
Bassoons 1,2
Eb Clarinet
Bb Clarinets 1,2,3
Bb Bass Clarinet
Eb Alto Saxes 1,2
Bb Tenor Sax
Eb Baritone Sax
Bb Trumpets 1,2,3
F Horns 1,2
F Horns 3,4
Trombones 1,2,3
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
[Mallet Percussion:] Chimes, Bells, Xylophone, Vibraphone
[Percussion 1:] Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbal
[Percussion 2:] Crash Cymbals, Finger Cymbals, Wind Chimes, Triangle, Tam-tam
[Percussion 3:] Suspended Cymbal, Temple Blocks, Tam-tam, Bongos, Chimes, Triangle, Crash Cymbals
Commissioned by the Cercle Philharmonique de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu to celebrate their 125th anniversary.
Program Notes:
Throughout the years, the Circle (one of the oldest bands in Canada) was greatly coloured by the different personalities of its members and its conductors, all of whom had the same goal: the radiance and prosperity of the ensemble. Just as this diversity of character unites towards a common goal, the basic musical motif will persist throughout the work but will always be exhibited in different ways while maintaining its basic foundation.
Also, since the Circle was originally a military band (the St. John's Band), the entire piece attempts to put recurring rhythmic passages in the foreground, reminding us of traditional military fanfares and sounds. On the other hand, these passages are always enveloped in more modern sonorities and harmonies in order to combine tradition and modernity. Right from the first notes, we can hear the melodic/rhythmic motif which will serve as the main musical material throughout the whole work.
At the heart of the slow middle section is a subtle incursion of the Richelieu March, composed by Norbert Boisvert in 1910. The piece appears in a distant way, and is juxtaposed to the lyrical theme of the slow section, giving a musical wink and paying tribute to this other work dedicated to the St. John's Circle.
(Eighth Note Publications)
