An American Elegy for orchestra by Frank Ticheli

AN AMERICAN ELEGY F O R O RC H E S T R A

FRANK TICHELI I N S T R U M E N T A T I O N 1 Full Score

1 F Horn 3

1 Trombone 3

1 Flute 1

1 F Horn 4

1 Tuba

1 Flute 2

2 C Trumpet 1

1 Timpani

1 Oboe 1

2 Bb Trumpet 1

1 Percussion 1

(as alternative to C Tpt. 1)

Vibraphone; Bass Drum

1 Oboe 2 1 Bb Clarinet 1 1 Bb Clarinet 2

1 C Trumpet 2 1 Bb Trumpet 2 (as alternative to C Tpt. 2)

1 Percussion 2 Suspended Cymbal; Triangle

10 Violin 1

1 Bassoon 1

1 C Trumpet 3

9 Violin 2

1 Bassoon 2

1 Bb Trumpet 3

8 Viola

(as alternative to C Tpt. 3)

1 F Horn 1 1 F Horn 2

PRINTED

1 Trombone 1 1 Trombone 2

ON

A RC H I VA L

7 Violoncello 6 Contrabass

PA P E R

Gg M A N H AT TA N B E A C H M U S I C 1595 East 46th Street Brooklyn, New York 11234 Fax: 718/338-1151 World Wide Web: http://www.manhattanbeachmusic.com E-mail: mbmband@aol.com Voicemail: 718/338-4137

.

Composed in memory of those who lost their lives at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, and to honor the survivors

C O M M I S S I O N P R E M I E R E

A N D

I N F O R M A T I O N

An American Elegy was commissioned by the Columbine Commissioning Fund, a special project sponsored by the Alpha Iota Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at the University of Colorado on behalf of the Columbine High School Band. Contributors to the Fund included members, chapters, alumni, and friends of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Fraternity and Sorority.

The work received its premiere performance by the Columbine High School Band, William Biskup, Director, Frank Ticheli, guest conductor, on April 23, 2000. Its premiere served as the centerpiece of a special commemorative concert given by the Columbine High School Band in conjunction with the University of Colorado Wind Symphony, held at Macky Hall in Boulder, Colorado.

The orchestral version of An American Elegy was commissioned by the Patel Conservatory Tampa Bay Youth Orchestra, William Wiedrich, music director, in cooperation with the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

P R O G R A M

N O T E S

An American Elegy is, above all, an expression of hope. It was composed in memory of those who lost their lives at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, and to honor the survivors. It is offered as a tribute to their great strength and courage in the face of a terrible tragedy. I hope the work can also serve as one reminder of how fragile and precious life is and how intimately connected we all are as human beings.

I was moved and honored by this commission invitation, and deeply inspired by the circumstances surrounding it. Rarely has a work revealed itself to me with such powerful speed and clarity. The first eight bars of the main melody came to me fully formed in a dream. Virtually every element of the work was discovered within the span of about two weeks. The remainder of my time was spent refining, developing, and orchestrating.

The work begins at the bottom of the ensemble’s register, and ascends gradually to a heartfelt cry of hope. The main theme that follows, stated by the horns, reveals a more lyrical, serene side of the piece. A second theme, based on a simple repeated harmonic pattern, suggests yet another, more poignant mood. These three moods — hope, serenity, and sadness — become intertwined throughout the work, defining its complex expressive character. A four-part canon builds to a climactic quotation of the Columbine Alma Mater. The music recedes, and an offstage trumpeter is heard, suggesting a celestial voice — a heavenly message. The full ensemble returns with a final, exalted statement of the main theme.

F O R M Measures

Section

Key

1–14

Introduction

Bb

15–30

Main theme

Bb

31–46

Episode

Bb

47–62

Main theme

Bb

63–96

Second theme

Bb… Db…

97–110

Four-part canon

F

111–113

Climax — (excerpt from Columbine Alma Mater)

F

114–117

Bridge (based on second theme)

F

118–127

Offstage trumpet solo, variant of Second theme

Bb

128–131

Bridge

Bb

132–end

Main theme, final statement

Bb

P E R F O R M A N C E

N O T E S

Introduction (measures 1–14) The introduction, which was composed last, begins at the bottom of the ensemble’s register, and gradually ascends to an exalted statement of hope, setting the tone for the entire work. The crescendo into measure 9 should not be held back emotionally.

Main Theme (measures 15–30) In contrast to the unrestrained energy unleashed in the introduction, the main theme is more reflective and serene. In my mind, it suggests the image of a head bowed in meditation or prayer, after having been lifted skyward during the introduction. The horns will bring an understated reverence and nobility to this melody.

Episode (measures 31–46) The “tempo rubato” indication can be interpreted in several ways, and is left to the discretion of the conductor. Originally, I tried to show exactly where the tempo should push ahead and pull

back, but in early rehearsals I found these indications to be restrictive. Strive for a subtle elasticity, free and fluid, but not too disruptive.

Second Theme (measures 63–96) The second theme is accompanied by a simple repeated harmonic pattern (I–V–IV–V) over a tonic pedal. In measures 71–78, the clarinet/violin melody and accompaniment should move well into the background, allowing the oboe countermelody through. In measures 91–95 the melodic line vanishes, leaving only its harmonic framework. Perhaps the theme’s absence is more poignant than its presence. The intended effect is one of great ethereal beauty.

Four-part canon (measures 97–110) This section functions as one long crescendo, moving from quiet lyricism to powerful optimism. One must strive to balance the four canonic voices. This becomes even more challenging as the four lines become reinforced by other instruments.

Climax: Excerpt from Columbine Alma Mater (measures 111–113) The quotation of the Columbine Alma Mater is, in effect, a self-quotation. (After learning that Columbine High School did not have a school song, I composed one for them, and they adopted it as their official Alma Mater.) While composing the present work, I discovered that one excerpt from the new Alma Mater would serve beautifully as the dramatic climax — in effect, joining the two pieces at the hip. (The excerpt quoted is a setting of the words, “We are Columbine! We all are Columbine!”)

Offstage trumpet solo (measures 118–127) This is the emotional heart of the work. The offstage solo should sound quite distant and ethereal, even other-worldly. I have found it insufficient to merely place the soloist backstage with the stage doors open. The sound is still too “present” in this configuration.

Perhaps the most ideal situation would be to place the soloist offstage with all stage doors closed, and furnished with a television monitor connected to a camera that is focused directly on the conductor.

It is also possible to position the soloist behind the audience in a lobby or distant balcony. At the premiere performance, we found that merely placing the soloist in the top balcony did not produce the desired distant effect. We solved the problem by placing the soloist in the lobby behind the balcony (with the doors partially open so the soloist could see the conductor onstage).

Measures 118 and 119 are unmetered. That is, the conductor should not attempt to conduct the individual beats of the offstage solo. Rather, his or her job here is to serve as a cue-giver, conducting the downbeats of each bar. (The downbeat of measure 118 marks the release of the whole notes held in measure 117. The downbeat of measure 119 marks the release of second violins, and the entrance of first violins and violas.) The conductor returns to regular metered time in measure 120.

I suggest that someone sit in the middle of the audience section to check the balance between the offstage soloist and the onstage players.

Bridge (measures 128–131) The initial oboe note should grow imperceptibly out of the the offstage trumpet’s final note, gradually taking over the foreground.

Final Statement (measures 132–157) The rising suspension figures from the introduction return here. At measure 138, while they are still ascending, the main melody returns. Both of these musical ideas progress simultaneously, creating an unsettling tension. The tension finally resolves as the two ideas drive to a common goal: the climax at measure 146. The energy recedes in a final moment of deep, prayer-like reflection.

F R A N K

T I C H E L I

Learn about Frank Ticheli’s newest works, events, CDs, DVDs, books, and hear complete recordings at

www.FrankTicheli.com “The Official Source for the Music of Frank Ticheli”

Gg

Composed in memory of those who lost their lives at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, and to honor the survivors Orchestral version commissioned by the Patel Conservatory Tampa Bay Youth Orchestra, William Wiedrich, music director in cooperation with the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center

AN AMERICAN ELEGY = c. 72 1

FOR ORCHESTRA

2

3

FRANK TICHELI 4

5

6

1 Flute 2

Oboe

1 2

1 cresc.

B Clarinet 2 1.

1 Bassoon 2

a2

cresc.

cresc.

1 2 cresc. a2

F Horn 3 4

cresc.

1 C Trumpet 2 3 1 2 Trombone 3 cresc.

Play

Cb. ten.

Tuba cresc.

Tunings Timpani

cresc.

1 Percussion 2

= c. 72 1 cresc.

Violin 2

cresc.

Viola ten.

div.

cresc. unis.

div.

Violoncello cresc. arco ten.

Contrabass cresc.

Copyright © 2005 Manhattan Beach Music / All Rights Reserved — Printed and engraved in the United States of America

ISBN 1-59913-XXX-X (complete set) ISBN 1-59913-XXX-X (conductor score) Copyright ©2008 Manhattan Beach Music - All Rights Reserved - Printed and engraved in the United States of America

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poco rit.

7

9 a tempo

8

10

11

12

13

1 Fl. 2

Ob.

1 2

1 B Cl. 2 (a2) Bsn.

1 2 a2

1 3 F Hn.

a2

2 4

1 C Tpt. 2 3

2.

3.

a2

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp.

Vibes

1 Perc.

Sus. Cym. (yarn)

l.v.

to Triangle

Triangle

2

poco rit.

9 a tempo div.

1 Vln. div.

unis.

2 div.

Vla. unis.

Vlc.

Cb.

2

rit.

14

15

= c. 58

16

17

18

19

20

1 Fl. 2

Ob.

1 2

1 B Cl. 2

1.

Bsn.

1 2 a2 cantabile

1 3 F Hn.

a2 cantabile

2 4

1 C Tpt. 2 3

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp.

1 Perc.

2

rit.

15 unis.

= c. 58

1 Vln. 2 unis.

Vla. div.

Vlc.

Cb.

3

unis.

non div.

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

1 Fl. 2

Ob.

1 2

1 B Cl. 3

2

Bsn.

1 2 (a2)

3

(a2)

3

1 3 F Hn. 2 4

1 C Tpt. 2 3

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp.

1 Perc.

2

23 1 Vln. 3

2

div.

unis.

Vla. div.

Vlc. div.

unis.

Cb.

4

28

29

30

31

Tempo rubato ( = c. 72) 32

33

34

1 Fl. 2

Ob.

1 2

1 B Cl. 2

Bsn.

1 2 (a2)

a2

(a2)

a2

1 3 F Hn. 2 4

1 C Tpt. 2 3

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp.

1 Perc.

2

31 Tempo rubato ( = c. 72) Hn.1&3

1 Vln. Hn.2&4

2

Vla.

unis.

div.

unis.

Tbns. non div.

Vlc. div.

unis.

Cb.

5

35

36

37

38

39 Senza rubato

1 Fl. 2

Ob.

1 2

1 B Cl. 2

Bsn.

1 2 3.

1 3 F Hn.

4.

2 4

1 C Tpt.

2.

2 3

1 2 Tbn.

(2.)

3

Tuba

Timp.

1 Perc.

Triangle

to Sus. Cym.

2

39 Senza rubato

Play 1 Vln.

Play

2

Vla. Play non div.

Vlc.

Cb.

6

40

rit.

41

42

a tempo

rit.

43

44

45

46

1 Fl. 2

Ob.

1 2

1 B Cl. 2

Bsn.

1 2 1.

a2

2.

a2

1 3 F Hn. 2 4

1 C Tpt. 2 3

(2.)

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp.

(F→G) 1 Perc.

2

rit.

a tempo

rit.

Hn.1

1 Vln. Hn.3

2

Vla.

Vlc.

Cb.

7

47

= c. 69

48

49

50

51

52

53

1 3

Fl. 2 3

Ob.

1.

1 2

1 B Cl. 3

2

Bsn.

1 2 3

(a2) 1 3 F Hn.

(a2)

2 4

2.

a2

1 C Tpt. 2 3

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp.

1 Perc.

2

47

= c. 69

Play

1 3

Vln.

Play

2

Vla. 3

div.

unis.

Vlc. div.

unis.

Cb.

8

55

54

56

57

58

59

1 Fl. 2 (1.)

Ob.

1 2

1 B Cl. 2

Bsn.

1 2 (a2)

1 3 F Hn.

(a2)

2 4

1 C Tpt. 2 3

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp.

(G→F) 1 Perc.

2

55 1 Vln. 2

Vla. div.

Vlc. pizz.

arco

Cb.

9

60

61

63 Moving ( = c.6496)

62

1 Fl. 2

Ob.

1 2 ten.

1 B Cl.

ten.

2

1.

Bsn.

1 2 a2 ten.

1.

1 3 F Hn.

2.

2 4

1 C Tpt. 2 3 Play

Hn.1

1 2 Bsn.2

Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp.

Vibes

to B.D.

1 Perc.

2

63 Moving ( = c. 96) 1 Vln. 2 ten.

Vla. unis.

ten.

Vlc. pizz.

Cb.

10

65

66

67

68

69

71

70

(Ob.1)

72

73

74

1 Fl. 2

Ob.

1. Solo

1 2

1 B Cl. 2 (1.)

Bsn.

1.

1 2 (a2)

a2

1 3 F Hn. 2 4

1 C Tpt. 2 3

1 2 Tbn. 3

Cb.

Tuba

Timp.

(E →C, F→G) 1 Perc.

2

71 sul tasto 1 Vln.

sul tasto

2 sul tasto Vla. div.

unis.

sul tasto

Vlc. div. pizz.

Cb. arco

11

75

(Ob.1)

77

76

79

78

Play 80

1 Fl. 2 (1.) a2 Ob.

1 2

1 B Cl. 2 a2

(1.)

1 Bsn. 2 (a2)

a2

1 3 F Hn. a2 2 4

1 C Tpt. 2 3

1 2 Tbn. 3 Play

(Cb.)

Tuba

Timp.

1 Perc.

2

79 ord.

div.

1 Vln.

ord.

2 ord.

Vla. ord. div.

Vlc.

Tutti arco Cb.

12

unis.

81

rit.

a tempo

82

83

87

rit.

84

85

86

= c. 72

1 Fl. 2 (a2) Ob.

1 2

1 B Cl. 2 (a2) Bsn.

1 2 ten.

1. Solo

1 3 dolce

F Hn. 2 4

1 C Tpt. 2 3

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp.

B.D.

1 Perc.

Sus. Cym.

l.v.

l.v.

2

rit.

a tempo

rit.

87

= c. 72 sul tasto

1 distant Vln.

sul tasto

2 distant sul tasto Vla. distant div.

sul tasto

Vlc. div.

distant one player only

Cb. distant

13

rit.

88

89

90

Dreamlike ( = c. 60) 91

92

93

94

95

1 Fl. 2

Ob.

1.

1 2 Hn.1

1 B Cl. Hn.2

2

Bsn.

1 2 (1.) (Solo)

1.

1 3 F Hn.

2.

2 4

1 C Tpt. 2 3

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp.

1 Perc.

2

rit.

Dreamlike ( = c. 60)

1 (non cresc.)

Vln. 2

Vla.

Vlc.

Tutti Cb.

14

97 (4-part canon)

96

98

99

100

1 dolce

Fl. 2 (1.)

Ob.

1 2 Play

1 B Cl.

dolce

Play

Hn.1

2 dolce

1.

(1.)

1 Bsn. 2

dolce 1.

1 3 F Hn.

dolce

2 4

1 C Tpt. 2 3

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp.

1 Perc.

2

unis.

97 (4-part canon) ord.

1 dolce

Vln.

ord.

2 dolce

ord.

Vla. unis.

dolce ord.

Vlc. dolce Cb.

15

101

102

106

104

103

105

108

107

109

1 cresc.

cresc.

cresc.

cresc.

Fl. 2 a2 Ob.

1 2

cresc.

1 cresc.

B Cl.

cresc.

Play

(Hn.1)

2 cresc.

(1.)

cresc. a2

Bsn.

1 2

cresc.

(1.)

cresc.

a2

1 3 (3.

F Hn.

)

cresc.

cresc.

a2

2 4 cresc.

cresc.

1 cresc.

C Tpt.

2.

2 3

a2

3.:

cresc.

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp.

1 Perc.

2

106 1 cresc.

cresc.

Vln. 2 cresc.

Vla. cresc.

Vlc. cresc.

cresc.

Cb.

16

cresc.

1.

110

rit.

111 Majestic ( = c. 69)

rit.

112

113

= c. 60 114

115

1 Fl. 2 (a2) 1 Ob. 2

1 B Cl. 2 a2 Bsn.

1 2 1.

1 3 F Hn.

2. to mute

2 4

1 C Tpt. 2 3 (1.)

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

l.v.

Timp.

(C→E ) to Vibes

B.D.

1 l.v.

Perc.

Sus. Cym.

l.v.

2

rit.

111 Majestic ( = c. 69)

Solo

rit.

= c. 60

1 Vln. 2

Vla. non div.

div.

Vlc.

Cb.

17

unis.

116

117

rit.

= c. 72 118

119

1 Fl. 2 (offstage Tpt.)

3

3

1 Ob. 2 molto cantabile

1 B Cl. 2

Bsn.

1 2 (1.)

1. to mute

1 3 F Hn. 2 4

Offstage Solo 3

3

1 molto cantabile

C Tpt. 2 3

1 2 Tbn. 3 n

Tuba n Timp.

Vibes (soft mallets)

1 Perc.

2

117

rit.

= c. 72

1 n Vln. 2

Vla. n div.

Vlc. pizz.

n

Cb.

18

120 Tempo I ( = c. 72) 121

122

123

124

125

126

1 Fl. 2 ten.

(Tpt.1)

1 Ob. 2

1 B Cl. 2

Bsn.

1 2 1. mute

1 3 F Hn.

2. mute

2 4 ten.

1 C Tpt. 2 3

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp. l.v.

1 Perc.

2

120 Tempo I ( = c. 72) div.

unis.

1 Vln.

delicate div.

2

Vla. (div.)

Vlc. pizz.

Cb.

19

unis.

unis.

128

127

129

130

131

rit.

132 a tempo

133

134

1 Fl. 2 (Tpt.1)

Ob.

1 2

1.Solo

dolce

Solo ten.

1 B Cl. 2

Bsn.

1 2 cresc.

(1.)

a2 open

mute out

1 3 F Hn.

cresc.

(2.)

mute out

2 4

1 C Tpt. 2 3

1 2

cresc.

Tbn. 3 cresc. unis.

Tuba cresc.

Timp. cresc.

(Vibes)

to B.D.

1 Perc.

lightly pedaled

2

rit.

128

132 a tempo

1 Vln.

div.

unis.

2 div.

unis.

div.

unis.

arco

div.

Vla. cresc.

Vlc. cresc. unis.

Cb. cresc.

20

138

135

136

139

137

140

141 142

1 Fl. 2

Ob.

1 2

1 B Cl. 2

Bsn.

1 2 (a2)

1 3 F Hn.

a2 open

2 4

1 C Tpt. 2 3

cresc.

2.

3.

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp. poco cresc.

1 Perc.

2 non div.

138

1 Vln. 2

Vla. non div.

Vlc.

Cb.

21

146 143

144

145

147

149

148

1 Fl. 2 a2 Ob.

1 2

1 3

B Cl. 2 3

a2 Bsn.

1 2 3

(a2) 1 3 F Hn.

(a2)

2 4

1 3

C Tpt. 2 3

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp.

B.D.

1 Perc.

Sus. Cym.

l.v.

2

div.

146

1 Vln. 2 3

Vla. 3

Vlc.

Cb.

22

150

151

rit.

152

153

= c. 60

154

rit.

155 a tempo

rit.

156

157

1 Fl. 2 (a2) Ob.

1 2 Vn.1

1 B Cl. Vc.

2

Bsn.

1 2 (a2)

1.

1 3 F Hn.

n (a2)

2.

2 4

n 1 C Tpt. 2 3

1 2 Tbn. 3

Tuba

Timp.

1 Perc.

2

unis.

rit.

= c. 60

rit.

155 a tempo

rit.

1 Vln. 2 n Vla. unis.

div.

Vlc.

div.

Cb.

23

div.

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