51B0ADBE-A458-4A01-9EC8-A339EDAED7BF

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ID51B0ADBE-A458-4A01-9EC8-A339EDAED7BF
TitlecodeR01269
Title NameThe Ghosts of Alder Gulch
Marketing CopyAn evocation of antique musical instruments and machines, and the spirits who are still making music through them.
Instrumentation2(1d Piccolo).2.2(1d Bass Clarinet).2: 2.2.2.1: Timpani.Percussion(3).Piano 4 hands.Harp: Strings
CommissionCommissioned by the Riverside Philharmonic Orchestra, Helen Cha-Pyo, conductor.
Dedication(not set)
Program NotesIn May 1863, gold was discovered near the gravelly range of Montana's Rocky Mountains by Bill Fairwhether and a ragtag band of prospectors. By summer's end, tens of thousands of fortune seekers are parasites stretched seventeen miles up Alder Gulch and Virginia City was born. It didn't last long--gold rushes never do--but of the tens of thousands who once inhabited the gulch, a few have lingered, fading shades now--ghosts--still felt, occasionally seen.

Wurdemann's Music Hall Museum in nearby Nevada City has a superb collection of antique instruments, music boxes, "orchestrians," and carousel organs of all shapes and sizes. Although they are powered now by electricity, sometimes it seems that phantom hands are on the valves and keys, and if you listen closely, ethereal voices sing along. The Ghosts of Alder Gulch is a symphonic evocation of those machines and the spirits who are still making music through them. --Richard Pearson Thomas
Title Brand2
Year Composed2002
Copyright Number(not set)
Copyright Year(not set)
Duration30
Ensemble Size13
Date Created2008-10-31 20:31:19.000000
Date Updated2025-09-30 20:31:19
Inhouse Note(not set)
Bsc Code(not set)
Text Author(not set)
Premier Performance Memo-Riverside Philharmonic Orchestra. Helen Cha-Pyo. 5 May 2002. World premiere.
Recording Credits(not set)
Review(not set)
Awards(not set)
Title Category7
Title Movements(not set)
Title Grade(not set)
Set Series ID(not set)
Title Instrument Category TextFull Orchestra
Title Sub Category Text(not set)
Title Sub Category31
Title Instrument Header41
Title Grade Text(not set)
Clean Urlthe-ghosts-of-alder-gulch-r01269