1111F817-85D5-4F55-A562-99986BB420FD

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ID1111F817-85D5-4F55-A562-99986BB420FD
TitlecodeR00898
Title NameThe Light of Three Mornings: Sketches of Braintree Hill (Chamber Orchestra)
Marketing CopyThis symphonic portrait conveys the essence and mood of three distinct mornings in rural Vermont. Winner of the New England Philharmonic Composition Competition.
Instrumentation1.1.1.1: 1.1.1.0: Percussion(1): Strings (minimum 4.2.1.1.1)
CommissionCommissioned by the Lake Placid Sinfonietta.
Dedication(not set)
Program NotesThe Light of Three Mornings: Sketches of Braintree Hill is a three-movement work inspired by the purity and beauty of mornings spent in the composer's studio in Braintree, Vermont. The view of nearby Braintree Hill predominates.

The first movement, "When the Stars Begin to Fall," is a contemporary arrangement of the familiar spiritual tune, "My Lord, What a Morning! (when the stars began to fall." A newly composed rhythmic middle section is inserted to emphasize the celebratory nature of the song. Near the end of the movement, "glissandi" in the strings and cascading scales in the winds are the falling stars.

"First Light" is a slow second movement featuring a sustained melody for solo violin. This melodic line is engendered from the blurred patterns heard in the woodwinds at the end of the first movement. As the theme travels among the instruments, it grows in intensity. The ending is abrupt.

"Hints and Tapping" was composed in a spirit of fun. Delight is taken in exploring unusual instrumental (and vocal!) sounds. This is rhythmic and light-hearted music. The theme and harmonic progressions are derived form the first movement. A full quotation from "When the Stars Begin to Fall" appears in the upper strings near the end, but the tappings prevail.

Gwyneth Walker
Title Brand2
Year Composed1987
Copyright Number(not set)
Copyright Year(not set)
Duration18
Ensemble Size13
Date Created2008-10-31 20:31:22.000000
Date Updated2025-09-30 20:31:22
Inhouse Note(not set)
Bsc Code(not set)
Text Author(not set)
Premier Performance Memo(not set)
Recording Credits(not set)
Review(not set)
AwardsWinner of the 1989 New England Philharmonic Composition Competition.
Title Category7
Title MovementsI. When the Stars Begin to Fall
II. First Light
III. Hints and Tappings
Title Grade(not set)
Set Series ID(not set)
Title Instrument Category TextFull Orchestra
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Title Sub Category31
Title Instrument Header41
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Clean Urlthe-light-of-three-mornings-sketches-of-braintree-hill-r00898