I was playing this my freshman year on trumpet and we couldn't have done this piece without all of the god level juniors and seniors that year, this year we have no bass clarinets or bari saxes and not a big enough horn section
A little history on this piece...My high school band director in Washington state actually commissioned this piece to be composed after his daughter died in a car accident on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. It was inspired by the Dylan Thomas poem, obviously. The piece, as anyone who has played it knows, is one of the most difficult classical pieces to play, period. It's difficult for the college level, and we took it to contest twice in high school (1985 & 1986), which was a testament to the skill of the conductor, that he was able to pull that level of performance out of high school students. If I remember correctly, there are several hymns playing on top of each other at one point (you'll hear that at 5:40 in this video). It was an incredible experience, and it still has a profound effect on me when I hear it. I'm glad to see this piece is still out there, being performed.
We also played this piece in 1990 as a high school junior. This was my introduction into this poem and was very powerful to me. Lots of memories listening to it, thank you OP for posting.
Less than ten years after your high school took this piece to competition, my own high school band in Michigan (myself playing oboe) dedicated our performance of this piece to the memory of a fellow student who was killed in a post-prom car accident that happened just down the road from my house. It's a bit morbidly fitting (if that's the right word) to say so, but I have a suspicion this piece gets performed in response to that sort of tragedy more often than one might at first believe. You're absolutely correct that this is a *very* difficult piece for any high school band to perform; there are several exposed places in the score where excellent tone and good breath support between performers playing different instruments will make or break a critical moment in the music. We had the benefit of hosting del Borgo for IIRC two school-day rehearsals and one pre-concert touch-up prior to the concert, which he attended. It was my first experience in a rehearsal that had the aid of the music's composer to help us realize his written intent, and it was a privilege I was fortunate to experience a second time several years later when an honors band I was in performed Ticheli's "Fortress", that time conducted in concert by the composer. I really wish more high schools took the time, trouble, and money to host a composer of one of the pieces they're performing. It was a very valuable experience in the kind of intangible, non-quantifiable way that teaches students far more than their regular classroom instruction can provide, and I'm very glad I was lucky enough to have had its benefit twice.
Thank you so much for posting this! I was blessed to be in an amazing high school chamber band... we played this piece to honor a fellow band member who died in a car accident on a stormy Washington evening in 1996. ~ We’ll never forget you, Sabrina Smith. Your beautiful personality shined even brighter than your musical gifts.💜
This is the best version of this piece that I have yet heard. I played this in high school in the early 90s, and I still enjoy it. Thank you so much for posting!
Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on that sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Dylan Thomas
I played this when I was in the 8th grade and it had such a HUGE impact on me. I could never remember the song until a couple of hours ago and it's been 20 years since I've played it, but it was playing in the back of my mind the entire time without me realizing it. This song will always have major significance in my life.
Played this in high school in 2011. We had an amazing conductor and so many talented musicians. I don't think I'll ever forget playing this piece. Ever.
I had the opportunity to stand in front of a very fine University-Community Band and conduct this piece over thirty years ago....what a buzz to hear it again and go back through those memories. An incredible piece of music and an excellent recording. Well done UMKC W/E.
I love this music I was a concert festival i was the middle school section. I was listening to the high school part and I heard it I thought it was great so I looked a this.
Kinda a shot in the dark here at the comments section, but maybe someone in 2018 can answer me. What is that tune at 5:40? I feel like I've heard it somewhere else before.
Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Can someone explain to me why this piece is so powerful to you? I just listened to it and it sounds so average to me. Nothing special came to mind, especially for the fact that it took the title of one of the most moving poems of all time. Maybe starting from 7:00 it has some nice sounds but other than that there's just nothing. Maybe it's because I play in an orchestra? Highly recommend you guys check out some of the most famous symphonies if you believe that even this is moving. Here's one: Tchaikovsky Symphony 5 movement 2. I realize I may seem really mean and inconsiderate right now but... I highly recommend checking out some other stuff too; you might be surprised. It's a big world out there... There's a lot more beyond band only pieces.
Shadowsaber you do realize people can walk and chew gum at the same time right? To assume that because people are a fan of band music that they don’t appreciate orchestral music is a bit pretentious and presumptive, don’t you think? I guess the same logic can be said about your view of band music, there’s a lot more beyond orchestral music...
Theres so much hidden inside. The words to the poem fit so well into the song its powerful. The small melody pieces and the opening theme is played in so many different forms. You are too close minded for this piece. You have to play it to understand.
This piece relates to the poem because it deals with the passing of the authors father, at one point the percussion makes large bass hits to represent the nails in the coffin and the aftermath was the author coming to terms with his fathers death
As a fan of both band and orchestra music, I would like to add my two cents. A big theme in band music (similar to certain symphonies) is a major theme that is woven in. In the first few minutes, the theme is played with a somber tone, setting the ambiance of loss and sorrow. Then, as the piece develops, the composer adds speed in and energy, but that same theme continues. You could interpret it as you wish, maybe someone coping with loss during their life or the idea that death is all around us, even in life? Anyways, the coordination it takes to put together all the rhythms between every section (10+ different instruments, some with several parts) compared to orchestra (2-3 violin parts, 2-3 viola and cello and bass) adds to the chaos. Additionally, the subtle coloring created with each voice as they layer in adds different emotions. The middle section with upper woodwinds is like an interlude, transitioning back into a somber feeling, bringing us to a horn and brass feature (horns are often seen as majestic or glorious). Because of the complexity of playing in a group with dozens of individual parts, you can layer chords so that certain voices play the tonic, while others have the 3rd 5th or other chordal/nonchordal tones, and this is much more important here than orchestra because of the many layers you can make. The ending is so slow compared to the frantic pace of the rest of the piece (as compared to orchestra) that it just adds to the somberness. In 12 minutes, this composer took us down and up and down and all around. Overall, I see concert band music as mini symphonies, pulling us through a range of emotions much more quickly than a typical orchestral work would. Its almost like a bridge between 30 minute works in orchestra and 3 minute songs on the radio (although that's a bit of a stretch). Anyways, that's my take on the piece. I hope it helps
