Almighty (2020)
Wind Ensemble | ca. 6'30" | grade 4
Almighty (2020)
Wind Ensemble | ca. 6'30" | grade 4
Instrumentation
3 Flutes (3rd doubles Piccolo), 2 Oboes, English Horn, 2 Bassoons, Contrabassoon, Eb Clarinet, 3 Bb Clarinets, 2 Bb Bass Clarinets, Contrabass Clarinet, 2 Alto Saxophones, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, 3 Bb Trumpets, 4 Horns, 3 Trombones, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Double Bass, Timpani, 4 Percussion (6 players)
Listen to Almighty
MIDI mockup
Program Note
During the early fall of my first year at the University of North Texas, incredible thunderstorms rolled across the skies. I was fascinated by their tremendous power, and their billowing clouds were reminiscent of towering cathedrals, possessing a divine, almost otherworldly aura. The majesty and powerful display of natural force of these storms inspired me to write something similar - something that could capture the feelings of awe, fear, and fascination.
Almighty draws inspiration from the "towering cathedrals" I had in mind, invoking imagery of the Catholic Church - Gregorian-influenced melodies, pipe organ-like orchestration, and chimes simulating the sound of church bells. These ploys are electrified by the rumbling and sizzling sounds of a thunderstorm (played by percussion), distant at first, but gradually looming nearer until almost deafening.