Composer

:

Steven Bryant

Genre

:

Band

Compose Date

:

2014

Average_duration

:

3:11

Ecstatic Fanfare is a band music composition by Steven Bryant, an American composer and conductor. The piece was composed in 2002 and premiered on March 1, 2003, by the Indiana University Wind Ensemble, conducted by Ray Cramer. The composition is a single movement work that lasts approximately three minutes. It is a high-energy fanfare that is characterized by its rhythmic drive and use of dissonant harmonies. The piece is scored for a standard concert band instrumentation, including brass, woodwinds, and percussion. The opening of the piece features a driving rhythm in the percussion section, which is then joined by the brass and woodwinds. The melody is characterized by its angular leaps and use of dissonant harmonies. The middle section of the piece features a slower, more lyrical melody that is contrasted by a faster, more rhythmic section. The piece concludes with a return to the opening material, building to a powerful climax. One of the unique characteristics of Ecstatic Fanfare is its use of extended techniques in the brass and woodwind sections. For example, the brass players are asked to use mutes and play with a "growling" sound, while the woodwinds are asked to use flutter-tonguing and other techniques to create a more percussive sound. Overall, Ecstatic Fanfare is a dynamic and exciting piece of music that showcases the virtuosity of the performers. Its use of dissonant harmonies and extended techniques creates a sense of tension and excitement that is sure to captivate audiences.

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