Gl!tCh

Test Piece for Brass Band & Percussion

The composition is titled "Glitch" (The origin of the word is estimated in USA 1960's, originally meaning 'a sudden surge of current'). However, it is more commonly used to refer to a sudden malfunction or fault, mainly in the electronic and video gaming industries. Detaching the word from it's meaning, I feel in many ways that we as a humanity have entered a somewhat glitch in our life; due to the outbreak of Covid-19. Albeit a glitch is electronic, the world we live in has suddenly malfunctioned and stopped. "Glitch" is ultimately about hope and peace.

The composition is written in one continuous movement and features the principal cornet, flugelhorn, 1st baritone, 1st euphonium, bass trombone, basses and percussion throughout. The opening is suspenseful, uncertain and fixed on a constant drone accompanied by solos throughout the ensemble. There are several 'Glitches' during this (These gradually become more aggressive and lucrative throughout the piece). The solos are not strict in tempo and the soloists are free to be emotive and expressive in the musical characters they form. After gradually building, the music has transformed from anxious tones into large powerful chords and the glitches begin to break free from their once distant and hushed manner. The glitches scramble and fight with the drone, which has become angered. The fight turns in favour of the drone and the music becomes powerful and mysterious once more; but only for a brief moment, as the music drowns into a single isolated voice. Bass trombone cadenza, a lonely drone that is intriguing and curious, slowly it becomes influenced and infected by the glitch (represented by the snare drum throughout the piece as the percussive element of this motif). The soprano intervenes the absorption and fights the glitches away. The music quickens as the glitches cheekily dance with the drone (and occasionally winning the spotlight momentarily). Like a slow cutscene transition from Star Wars, the music momentarily dissolves into noise before becoming more rhythmical and technically demanding. The mischievous glitches continue to harass the drone and produce echoes and delays. After a final aggressive attack from the glitches, the drone surrenders. Dark Tuba lament featuring Eb Basses & Euphoniums. Overtime the glitches cheekily play with the music and become less offensive. The Dark lament grows into beautiful powerful screams and the glitches sing in harmony with the drone. Finally peace.

Commissioned by Frédéric Théodoloz and Brass Band Treize Etoiles for the 2021 Swiss Nationals.

£85.65 - PDF Download Only

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