The Lonely Land
(Pine Tree Gently Sigh)
Bill Thomas
Ensemble: Concert Band
Additional Performing Forces: Audio Track
Grade: 3
Duration: 06:00
Year of Composition: 2017
Commissioned by: Rouge River Winds (Pratik Gandhi, director)
Premiered by: Rouge River Winds (Pratik Gandhi, director)
Date of Premiere: June 16, 2017
Publisher: self-published
Available: Yes
How to Acquire: Composer
Links:
Pre-recorded Audio Tracks
Piccolo
Flutes 1,2
Oboe
Bassoon
B♭ Clarinets 1,2,3
B♭ Bass Clarinet
E♭ Alto Saxes 1,2
B♭ Tenor Sax
E♭ Baritone Sax
B♭ Trumpets 1,2,3
F Horns 1,2
Trombones 1,2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Double Bass
Timpani
[Mallet Percussion 1:] Bells
[Mallet Percussion 2:] Vibraphone
[Percussion 1:] Suspended Cymbal
[Percussion 2:] Wind Chimes
Commissioned by a consortium of bands led by the Rouge River Winds, as part of the celebration of Canada's sesquicentennial.
This is the third movement of a suite based on Canadian folk songs, each available separately:
I. All Around the Circle (I'se the B'y)
II. And Love is No More (She's Like the Swallow)
III. The Lonely Land (Pine Tree Gently Sigh)
IV. Blue Lake and Rocky Shore (Land of the Silver Birch)
Program Notes:
This composition was inspired by A.J.M. Smith's poem, "The Lonely Land". It is meant to introduce young bands to the concept of indeterminacy in music by providing the musicians with some opportunities for simple improvisation. The thematic material for the piece is borrowed from two songs of North American indigenous peoples: "Pine Tree Gently Sigh" (an Iroquois lullaby), and an Ojibway melody called "My Bark Canoe".
[Editor's note: it seems that both of these melodies were first recorded from Ojibwe/Anishinaabe singers. Although many arrangements exist by settler musicians, it is unclear whether the melodies were ever intended for concert use.]
The composition is intended to be performed with an audio accompaniment comprised of fragments of the poem and environmental sounds reminiscent of northern Ontario. Although three audio cues are provided with the score, students are encouraged to read the source poetry and create their own audio tracks.
(Bill Thomas)
