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PREVAILING WINDS for Wind Ensemble by RODNEY ROGERS (USA, 1953)

[#99] June 14, 2021

1983 | Wind Ensemble | Grade 5 | 15’- 20’ | Tone poem


American composer Rodney Rogers

“Prevailing Winds” by American composer Rodney Rogers, is our Composition of the Week.


The composition was written during the summer of 1983 for the Lawrence University Wind Ensemble under the direction of Robert Levy; it received its premiere that fall in Appleton, Wisconsin.


The work was featured at the 1990 CBDNA National Conference in Tallahassee, Florida.

It has a duration of about 18 minutes and its instrumentation calls for an enlarged wind ensemble:


2 Piccolos, 4 Flutes, 2 Oboes, Bassoon, 4 Clarinets in Bb, 2 Bass Clarinets, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, 5 Trumpets in Bb, 4 Horns, 3 Trombones, Tuba, Double Bass, Piano (four-hands), Vibraphone, 2 Marimbas


Rodney Rogers tells us more about his composition:


“Prevailing Winds consists of four movements proceeding without pause in a tempo format of fast/slow/fast/moderate. The movement titles are I. Summer Fanfares, II. Midsummer Moon, III. Interlude, IV. Summer’s Farewell. The subtitles suggest an entire process: the beginning, middle, and end of a season. This three-stage progression is reflected in the momentum of the composition as a whole and in the shaping of individual sections (each movement has its own beginning, middle, and end). The work’s fanfare opening contains restless energy and numerous motives that suddenly shift to a reflective mood and stillness in Midsummer Moon (the keyboard instruments are silent throughout this portion). The Interlude returns to the animated character of the opening with the piano as the focal point. This is followed by the quiet lyricism of Summer's Farewell, a passacaglia-like set of variations over a bass line with a corresponding progression of chords. Motives presented in the opening of the piece can be heard in transformed versions throughout the remainder of the work, much like cyclic symphonic form prevalent in the late Romantic era where individual movements reuse thematic and motivic material found in the opening section. In general, the piece reflects the sense of seasonal change from the energy of early summer to the slowing down of growth processes that gradually occur throughout the summer season.”

Rodney Rogers holds degrees from the University of Iowa and Arizona State University as well as attended Tanglewood.


His wind music has been performed at institutions such as the Cincinnati Conservatory, the Eastman School of Music, Florida State University, Indiana University, the Juilliard School, Northwestern University, the Royal School of Music in London, the University of Michigan, the University of North Texas, and the University of Washington.


Rogers has been commissioned by the College Band Directors National Association, Music Teachers National Association, and National Endowment of the Arts.


 

Other works for Winds include Air Mosaic (1991) and The evidence of things not seen (1991/2003)








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