https://youtu.be/0hVSzb1pUP0

INTERSTELLAR

First movement - Astronomical Space

Synopsis

Astronomical Space is the void that exists between celestial bodies. However, the space is not completely empty, between, the vacuum consists of electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields and dust and cosmic rays.

 Within this space, planets and moon freely orbits in their path. An unseen force is behind the organized path and movement of these planets in the galaxy.

This movement uses different aspects of palindrome concept to depict the organised space in music. First, the time signature expands and contracts in palindromic fashion, indicating an orderly manner in which the music orbits. Next, the intervals expands exponentially and also contracts in retrograde fashion.

Analysis

This movement uses palindrome concept for compositional technique. Rhythmically, it is palindromic in nature. The note values starts from a minim to dotted crotchet, crotchet, quaver, semiquavers.  The time signature also expands and contract palandromically, starting from 2/4, 3/4 , 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 5/4, 4/4, 3/4, 2/4.

The intervallic relationships are also in palindrome. Ascending from middle C the interval starts with Minor 2nd and expands exponentially to Major 2nd, Minor 3rd , Major 3rd, Perfect 4th , Augmented 4th , Perfect 5th to the tonic.   Conversely, the intervals descend in similar fashion.  

French Horn begins with Low G (Concert C) and builds up this set of intervals reaching high B (Concert E). This melody is repeated by the Clarinet at the start of the new time signature of 3/ 4. Oboe enters at the next time signature of 4 /4. Flute at time signature of 5/4 and Bassoon at time signature of 6/4. The retrograde inversion of this motif is announced by the French Horn, this time starting on its high G (Concert C). Behind all this build up, the intervallic motif as shown above is played. At section A, this motif is announced without the rhythmic palindrome. The motif and its inversion builds up to a climax and re-asserts its presence with all the instruments playing at Bar before rehearsal mark B.  The piece ends with the French horn performing the same motif at the beginning of this movement.

Second Movement - Celestial Bodies

Synopsis

Celestial bodies or Astronomical objects refers to a single cohesive structure that is bound together usually by gravity or electromagnetism. Some examples includes asteroids, moons, planets and the stars. These objects or bodies may range from a single planet to star clusters, nebulae or entire galaxies and they have their position in space.  

This movement uses whole tone scale. The whole tone scale is used in this movement as it does not create sharp dissonances and the space between each interval is equal whichever way you stack the notes.

The main melody, 8 bars long is repeated in canonic fashion. A countermelody is announced and also repeated by the ensemble in canonic fashion. Thereafter, both melodies will merge and this movement ends with a chord consisting of the whole tone scale starting on B.

The music gradually unveils the each axis of the motion in which the astronomi.

4-part treble a cappella arrangement (SSAA w/divisi and solo) for advanced high school singers. The solo line is split among the parts for the majority of the song with only one short solo section. Rob Lane was a high school choral director for 14 years and arranged for his groups throughout that time. Find full length recordings and more of Rob's arrangements and at rob-lanearranging.com!

From Massenet’s 1885 opera, Le Cid, these three movements are from his popular orchestral concert ballet suite of Spanish dances and showcase the technical and interpretative capabilities of brass quintet performers. Of the ten dances in the orchestral ballet suite, Castillane, Andalouse, and Catalane have been arranged to feature quintet members in solo roles with brilliant scoring and hauntingly beautiful melodic settings. The arrangement is scored for two B-flat trumpets with alternate C trumpet parts included and optional flugelhorns used in the Andalouse movement, horn in F, trombone, and tuba. The recording is of the entire edition.

See more than 70 mixed brass ensemble publications with Charles Decker Music Press at Sheet Music Plus for inexperienced to advanced musicians with music ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary new works for trios, quartets, quintets, brass choir and brass band. Many of the mixed brass ensemble editions include alternate and substitute parts being alternate C trumpet parts for B-flat trumpet parts, flugelhorn/trumpet substitute for horn, horn substitute for trombone and treble clef euphonium substitute for trombone. See also 50+ homogeneous brass group editions with Charles Decker Music Press at Sheet Music Plus for horn, trumpet and trombone ensembles. Check out the Music of Black Composers Series with Charles Decker Music Press at Sheet Music Press with 25 arrangements for mixed brass ensembles ranging from early jazz to symphonic works with composers Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, R. Nathaniel Dett, William Grant Still, Will Marion Cook, James Reese Europe, James Johnson and others.  All ensemble publications include recordings of the entire edition.  

For more Charles Decker brass quintet publications use these links to Kendor Music and Cherry Classics Music to see listings of my arrangements of music by J.S. Bach, H.L. Clarke, Debussy, Dukas, Elgar, Falla, Holst, Ives, Nestico, Rachmaninoff, Satie, and Tchaikovsky.