Fanfares For A
Festive Occassion (1999) (3,2 ,2 ,2; 4 ,3,3,1; timp., 4 perc.;
strings) - Fanfares For A Festive Occasion was commissioned by
the York Symphony Orchestra in honor of the 250th
anniversary of York County Pennsylvania. The opening section is
“Fanfares to Settlement and Exploration”. Musically,
this section contains expansive fanfares that suggest an openness
of the landscape representing early settlement and rapid woodwind
figures that suggest the hustle and bustle of a modern urban
area. The end of the first section accelerates into a march-like
section that is entitled “Fanfares for Freedom and
Equality”. The music slows down as it leads to the next
section, “Fanfare of Remembrance”. A plaintive dotted
rhythm fanfare is stated in muted trumpet, flute and oboe. The
“Fanfare of Remembrance” is in honor of all those who
have served our country. The next section is entitled
“Fanfare of Destruction”. Percussive effects and short
dissonant figures abound in this section. The final section is
entitled “Fanfares to the Future”. While no specific
event inspired this section, it is the composer's belief that our
history determines our future. Musically, this thought is
represented by using the march theme of the “Fanfares for
Freedom and Equality”, as it is hoped that freedom and
equality will always be a part of the future. Added to the march
are other fanfares representing the composer's optimism in the
future. Duration 8:00 Grade 4 Score and parts $50.00
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