Catharsis

Grade 5+

Instrumentation

Piccolo
2 Flutes
2 Oboes
2 Bassoons
3 Bb Clarinets
Bass Clarinet
(opt.) Bb Contrabass Clarinet
2 Eb Alto Saxophones
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Eb Baritone Saxophone

4 Bb Trumpets (parts 3 and 4 div.)
4 F Horns
3 Tenor Trombones
Bass Trombone
2 Euphoniums
Tuba (div.)

Timpani

5 Percussion:

1. Bells, Crash Cymbals (shared w/ Perc. 3), Triangle, Mark Tree, Bass Drum (shared w/ Perc. 3), Tam-Tam (shared w/ Perc. 4)

2.  Vibraphone, Large Suspended Cymbal, China Cymbal, Splash Cymbal, Wood Blocks, Triangle

3.  Chimes, Marimba (4 octave), Bass Drum, Tambourine, Crash Cymbals

4. Tam-Tam, Snare Drum

5. 4 Toms, Medium Suspended Cymbal, Small Suspended Cymbal

Duration: approximately 10:00 minutes

Catharsis was commissioned by a consortium of bands led by the Washington and Lee University Wind Ensemble Christopher Dobbins, conductor

Program Notes

“Catharsis” is a psalm for band that consists of three connected movements, totaling approximately 10 minutes. The piece begins with a fanfare that acts as an acknowledgment and cleansing of emotion. This gives way to a calmer lyrical movement which eventually turns into a spirited dance-like movement. Finally, the Cathartic Fanfare returns as it combines with this dance-like theme.

Music needs no justification. It is a good thing that can be cherished for its own sake. However, music also has many purposes as it has countless ties with reality. It can show reality as it currently is and reality as it can be in the future. Music has great power to help express and release emotions inside of us and it has the power to connect us with realities we do not as easily sense or experience. With this piece I used music as a vehicle to both acknowledge emotions from within and to tap into a brighter reality that exists regardless of circumstances.

-Nicole Piunno