Mercury in Transit

A celestial event for wind ensemble

by
Derek Charke

Ensemble: Wind Ensemble

Grade: 4

Duration: 10:00

Year of Composition: 2006

Commissioned by: Halifax All-City Music

Premiered by: Halifax All-City Music (Nathan Beeler, director)

Date of Premiere: May 16, 2017

Publisher: Canadian Music Centre

Year of Publication: 2017

Publisher Catalog Number: MI 1800 C473mer

Available: Yes

How to Acquire: Publisher, Rental

Links:

Web Page

Sample Audio

Perusal Score 

Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flutes 1,2
Oboe
B♭ Clarinets 1,2
B♭ Bass Clarinet
Bassoon (opt.)
E♭ Alto Saxes 1,2
B♭ Tenor Sax
Eb Baritone Sax
B♭ Trumpets 1,2,3
F Horns 1,2
Trombones 1,2,3
Euphonium
Tuba
Double bass (opt.)
Percussion (3 or more performers)
Piano/Keyboard (opt.)

In 4 sections:
1. The comet tail of Mercury
2. Mercury, the planet
3. The event horizon
4. Mercury in transit


Program Notes:

Mercury in Transit – a celestial event for wind ensemble was commissioned by Halifax All-City Music, Nathan Beeler, Director. It was inspired by the transit of Mercury that occurred on May 9, 2016. The form of the work follows the trajectory of Mercury, first hurling though space with a comet-like tail hundreds of thousands of kilometres behind it, then reaching the event horizon, and finally completing its transit in front of the sun. The work is in four distinct sections: (1) The comet tail of Mercury, (2) Mercury, the planet, (3) the event horizon, and (4) Mercury in transit. The next transit of Mercury will be on November 11, 2019.

(program notes by Derek Charke)


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MusicFest Canada (2021-22): B400