The Wisdom of the Rock
from Cardinal Elements
Kenley Kristofferson
Ensemble: Concert Band
Additional Performing Forces: Other
Grade: 3
Duration: 02:45
Year of Composition: 2019
Publisher: Eighth Note
Year of Publication: 2022
Publisher Catalog Number: CB220418
Available: Yes
How to Acquire: Publisher, Purchase
Links:
Concert band with Indigenous drummers and singers
Flute
Piccolo
Oboe
Bassoon
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
Trombones 1,2
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
[Mallet Percussion:] Chimes, Bells
[Percussion 1:] Bass Drum
[Percussion 2:] Suspended Cymbal, Wind Chimes
Third movement of Cardinal Elements.
Program Notes:
Wisdom of the Rock as a standalone piece is meant as a scaffold to programming the Cardinal Elements suite. This movement begins a troubled and haunted musical story. When I was researching this piece and talking to Treaty One Indigenous folks about their tradition of the elements, I expected them to talk about the "strength" of earth and rock; to my surprise, they said something quite different. They spoke of the wisdom of the rock, and that it had been present for ages, seeing the First Peoples on the land, then the coming of the settlers, and the difficult relationship we've been navigating for the last few centuries. We are connected to the earth and need its wisdom, perhaps now more than ever. Like the end of the second movement, m.21 reveals a more hopeful side of the music — perhaps by listening to the rock and forming a stronger connection with the earth, we may forge a better relationship with each other.
(Kenley Kristofferson via Eighth Note Publications)
