First Light
Year(s)
2007
Difficulty
Advanced
Duration
09:00 min
Perusal Score
Instrumentation:
BandGenres:
LyricalThe title First Light refers to the arrival of dawn – the transformation of darkness into light. In particular, it is shaped by my experience of dawn in the mountains surrounding Lake Garda, in northern Italy.
There, the light of the sun arrives in distinct stages: the night sky begins to brighten quite early, around 4:30 or 5am, though the sun remains hidden behind the mountains for several hours. Around 8 o’clock, the first direct ray of sunlight abruptly crests the mountaintop, bringing with it intense, palpable heat, which rapidly gains strength as the sun fully emerges. Somewhat paradoxically, the town below, nestled in the narrow space between the water’s edge and the steep mountain slope, remains in darkness for awhile longer, until the sun ultimately reaches a high enough angle to send light cascading down the mountainside, illuminating everything.
Commissioned by: New York York State School Association
Dedicated to: Ray Cramer
Premiered
2 December 2007, by the New York All-State Symphonic Band, Ray Cramer, conductor
Technical Info
Piccolo
Flute 1-4
Oboe 1-2
Bassoon 1-2
Contrabassoon (optional)
Bb Clarinet in Bb 1-6
Bb Bass Clarinet 1-2
Bb Contrabass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1-2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Bb Trumpet 1-6
Horn in F 1-4
Trombone 1-4
Euphonium 1-2
Tuba 1-2
Timpani
Perc. 1: Crotales
Perc. 2: Marimba
Perc. 3: Glockenspiel
Perc. 4: Vibraphone
Perc. 5: Suspended Cymbal, Crash Cymbal, Bass Drum