Black Sea, The (band version)

for Concert Band

Originally written for orchestra, the musical material for The Black Sea also works well in a concert band setting. Running eighth notes deftly move between changing time signatures and rising and falling dynamics, creating waves of sound and motion.

Program Notes

The Black Sea was inspired by a poem by Robert Bly:

Ah, on this planet we are born again and again. A gold sun rises in the East, but for us it is a black sun. Each time the black sun rises, dazzling and tremendous, its sadness flows into us. I listen and I see a horse- dragon swim up out of the Black Sea. It climbs into the air. Play on, play on - what can we do but long for this dragon-water from the Black Sea to fall on us?

Grade Level: 3
Copyright: 2006
Number of Players: Standard
Duration: 2:10
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Category: Concert Band

Listen to Recordings

Instrumentation

Flute 1/2
Oboe 1/2
Clarinet in Bb 1/2
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Alto Saxophone 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet in Bb 1/2
Horn in F 1/2
Trombone 1/2
Euphonium
(Baritone T.C.)
Tuba

Timpani
Percussion 1 (Suspended Cymbal, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Tambourine, Medium Low Concert Tom, Finger Cymbals)
Percussion 2 (Xylophone)
Percussion 3 (Vibraphone, Marimba)