Composer

:

Steven Bryant

Genre

:

Band

Compose Date

:

2008

Average_duration

:

21:18

Ecstatic Waters is a band music composition by Steven Bryant, an American composer and conductor. The piece was composed in 2008 and premiered on April 17, 2008, by the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, conducted by Mallory Thompson, at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall in Evanston, Illinois. Ecstatic Waters is a single-movement work that is approximately 20 minutes long. The piece is scored for a large wind ensemble, including woodwinds, brass, percussion, and a string bass. In addition to the wind ensemble, the piece also features an electronic component, which includes pre-recorded sounds and live processing of the ensemble's sound. The piece is divided into three main sections, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first section is marked by a sense of anticipation and tension, with the electronic component providing a backdrop of ambient sounds and textures. The second section is more lyrical and introspective, with the ensemble playing long, sustained lines that are gradually transformed by the electronic processing. The final section is marked by a sense of release and celebration, with the ensemble and electronics coming together in a joyful and exuberant climax. One of the most distinctive features of Ecstatic Waters is its use of electronic processing. The electronic component of the piece includes pre-recorded sounds of water, bells, and other ambient sounds, as well as live processing of the ensemble's sound. The live processing is done using a computer program that analyzes the sound of the ensemble in real-time and applies various effects and transformations to the sound. Overall, Ecstatic Waters is a highly innovative and engaging work that showcases Steven Bryant's skill as a composer and his willingness to explore new and unconventional musical ideas. The piece has been widely performed and recorded by a variety of ensembles, and it remains a popular and influential work in the contemporary wind band repertoire.

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