Rio Grande [HL:4004651]

(2015)

Rio Grande (2015) for symphonic band is Grammy award winning composer Michael Daugherty's follow-up to his iconic Niagara Falls (1997). The title refers to the legendary 1,250-mile river that flows from the mountains of southern Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico near Brownsville, Texas. In Rio Grande, the composer has created a powerful musical landscape that is magical and majestic. The percussion section, comprised of timpani, bongos, woodblocks, tom toms and bass drums, creates a rhythmic undercurrent to an angular motif that is first heard in the woodwinds, emerging high above the musical precipice. This jagged motif is passed on to individual instruments such as the tuba, and eventually in various colorful guises to the entire symphonic band. Reminding us of the long cultural history associated with the great river, we also hear ghostly Mexican mariachi music echoing faraway through the canyons. In the coda, all the musical material is combined to create a grandiose ending to our journey down the timeless Rio Grande. A resounding success at the world premiere given by the North Texas Wind Symphony (Eugene Migliaro Corporon, conductor), Rio Grande should prove to be one of Daugherty's most popular and performed band works for years to come.

Instrumentation

The number of players doubling each part is at the conductor's discretion, but should be in keeping with a balanced sound.

Piccolo

4 Flutes

2 Oboes

English Horn (opt. but recommended)

Eb Clarinet

4 Bb Clarinets (min. 2 players per part)

Bb Bass Clarinet

Eb Contralto Clarinet (opt. but recommended)

2 Bassoons

Contrabassoon

Bb Soprano Saxophone

Eb Alto Saxophone

Bb Tenor Saxophone

Eb Baritone Saxophone

3 C or Bb Trumpets

4 F Horns

3 Trombones (1st/2nd Tenor, 3rd Bass)

2 Euphoniums (T.C. and B.C)

2 Tubas

Contrabass (opt. but preferred; 2 players recommended)

Timpani (4 or 5 drums; 32“, 29”, 26“, 23”, 20)

Percussion (4 players; instruments are not shared):

1. Xylophone, plastic and rubber mallets; very large Suspended Cymbal, yarn mallets

2. Marimba, yarn and rubber mallets; large Suspended Cymbal, yarn mallets

3. Bongos; 4 woodblocks (small, medium, large, very large), rubber mallets with rattan shaft

4. 2 Tom Toms (medium, large); 2 Bass Drums (large, very large), rubber mallets with rattan shaft