Go Down Moses (Let My People Go)

W N

C A R L O S S I M O N

G O D O

M O S E S for wind ensemble (2023)

CSJr. Music

G

O

M O S E S

C A R L O S S I M O N

D O W N

for wind ensemble

PROGRAM NOTE

The Jewish biblical story of the Plagues of Egypt resonated with the enslaved and they created songs that related to this story of bondage. While the horriﬁc plagues that swept across Egypt are compelling in and of itself, the focus of this piece is recounted from the perspective of the stubborn Pharaoh, who unwillingly loosens his grip on the enslaved people. Pharaoh! s hardened heart is conveyed through two sharp, accented chords. The spirit of God, represented by light, heavenly, metallic sounds from the percussion, signal the beginning of each new plague. Frogs, pestilence, sickness and are not enough to break the Pharaoh!s will. It is only with the "Angel of Death”, which takes the life of Pharaoh! s ﬁrst-born child, represented by dark, brooding harmonies, that he relents in despair. The orchestral texture grows thinner and thinner as Pharaoh loathes in emotional anguish. The once prideful Pharaoh is now broken down to a powerless whimper. I use the Negro Spiritual, “Let My People Go (Go Down Moses)” as a musical framework throughout this movement.

Go down Moses

Way down in Egypt land

Tell ol’ Pharaoh to Let my people go!

When Israel was in Egypt land

Let my people go!

Oppressed so hard they could not stand

Let my people go!

-Carlos Simon

INSTRUMENTATION

Flute Flute/Piccolo

2 Oboes

2 Clarinets in Bb

2 Bassoons

2 Soprano Saxophones

Alto Saxophone

Tenor Saxophone

Baritone Saxophone

4 Horns in F

3 Trumpets in C

2 Trombones

Bass Trombone

2 Euphonia

Tuba

Percussionist List

Glockenspiel, Tubular Bells, Vibraphone, Whip, Guiro, Mark Tree, Triangle, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Tom-Toms, Suspended Cymbal, Tam-tam

Timpani

Double Bass

Duration: ca. 6 minutes

Transposed Score

Composer Note

Mount cymbal should be mounted upside down on top of a 26" timpano drum, and bowed on the edge while moving pedal up and down.

In aleatoric sections, pitches should be played as fast as possible and not coordinated among the section where notes are boxed with a repeat sign. Playing should continue until arrow ends. A "boiling cluster" should result.

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Go Down Moses (Let My People Go)

Published on Sep 5, 2023

Carlos Simon

The Jewish biblical story of the Plagues of Egypt resonated with the enslaved and they created songs that related to this story of bondage. While the horrific plagues that swept across Egypt are compelling in and of itself, the focus of this piece is recounted from the perspective of the stubborn Pharaoh, who unwillingly loosens his grip on the enslaved people. Pharaoh's hardened heart is conveyed through two sharp, accented chords. The spirit of God, represented by light, heavenly, metallic sounds from the percussion, signal the beginning of each new plague. Frogs, pestilence, sickness and are not enough to break the Pharaoh's will. It is only with the "Angel of Death”, which takes the life of Pharaoh's first-born child, represented by dark, brooding harmonies, that he relents in despair. The orchestral texture grows thinner and thinner as Pharaoh loathes in emotional anguish. The once prideful Pharaoh is now broken down to a powerless whimper. I use the Negro Spiritual, “Let My People Go (Go Down Moses)”.