[#185] February 06, 2023
2020 | Wind Orchestra | Grade 5 | 10'-15' | Tone poem
Stratoscape, by Swiss composer and conductor Gauthier Dupertuis is our Composition of the Week.
It was composed in November 2020 and profoundly revised in early 2022. It was premiered on December 8, 2022, in Switzerland by the Civica Filarmonica of Lugano, conducted by Franco Cesarini.
With the subtitle āMethaphorical Views on Planet Earthā, Stratoscape is āa colorful and contrasting work for intermediate wind band, depicting the view of our earth as seen from the stratosphere. This voyage into the sky is pictorial, but also metaphoric, as it reflects on our world.ā
The work is divided into 5 sections and has a general 3-part āfast ā slow ā fastā structure. I have tried to vary the musical language to create contrasting sections, and thus, the work is unified with its musical material, which is almost entirely derived from the main theme exposed in the first measures of the piece, whether it be in a rhythmic or melodic way.ā (Program Notes by Composer)
Stratoscape is scored for standard symphonic band setting, with String Bass, Synthesizer and Harp as optional instruments, as well as 7 percussion parts. It has a duration of around 14 minutes.
Gauthier Dupertuis studied Musicology and Philosophy at Fribourg University. He earned his bachelorās degree in 2021, he is now finishing his masterās degree.
Moreover, Gauthier studied conducting at Fribourg Conservatory with Jean-Claude Kolly, StĆ©phane Delley, and Ćtienne Crausaz . He graduated in June 2021 and was granted with the Conservatory Prize for music theory. In 2022, he succeeded his DAS (Diplom of Advanced Studies) in Orchestra Conducting at the Berne School of Arts with Florian Ziemen (DE). In September 2022, he was admitted to the Lausanne University of Musicās Master in Wind Band Conducting program with Jean-Claude Kolly (CH).
He has also worked with conductors Douglas Bostock (GB) and Mark Heron (GB) by participating actively at some masterclasses.
More on Gauthier Dupertuis https://gauthierdupertuis.com
View the score here: https://gauthierdupertuis.com/music/stratoscape-wind-band/