Graduation
Louis Babin
Ensemble: Wind Orchestra
Grade: 2
Duration: 06:30
Year of Composition: 2010
Commissioned by: FACE School
Premiered by: Harmonie de l'École FACE (Carol Kay, conductor)
Date of Premiere: June 4, 2010
Publisher: Canadian Music Centre
Year of Publication: 2010
Publisher Catalog Number: MI 1800 B114gr
Available: Yes
How to Acquire: Publisher, Rental
Links:
Part of a suite called Visages, for choir, wind orchestra and string orchestra, commissioned to mark the 35th anniversary of FACE School.
Program Notes:
I wanted to create a piece lending a certain air of decorum to this 35th anniversary. This required a ceremonial colouring – so what better than concert winds to simultaneously express both the rite-of-passage importance and the exuberant energy of this event! This time, rather than a polite role accompanying the choir, it was a question of having the power of musical winds as the driving force. Each instrumental section of the ensemble is called upon to be heard. This is the piece that challenged me most. After a first exposition of the theme, a suspense-filled section with a snare drum ostinato follows. Then a brief canon recalling the opening theme brings us to a full reprise of the theme, now with less force by virtue of its instrumentation, the woodwinds taking centre stage. The return of the brass coveys a feeling of strength that opens the way to a grand finale. Note the colouring free of major thirds in the final chord. That is what gives it the large, expanding tone which, for me, symbolizes the tolerance and the constant opening of spirit I sensed everywhere during my experience at FACE.
- Louis Babin
