C A R O U S
Gibson Mahnke
Instrumentation
3 Flute I
3 Flute II
2 Flute III
2 Oboe I
2 Oboe II
2 Clarinets in B♭ I
2 Clarinets in B♭ II
2 Clarinets in B♭ III
1 Bassoon I
1 Bassoon II
2 Trumpet in B♭I
2 Trumpet in B♭II
2 Horns in F I
2 Horns in F II
1 Trombone
Percussion
(Marimba, Suspended Cymbal, Temple Blocks [set of 4])
Harp
Piano
Transposed Score
Duration: 3’
Version I: 19 February 2024
Covert Photo: Sumeesh Nagisetty on Unsplash
Program Notes:
Carousel
On thin golden poles gliding up, sliding down, a kingdom of horses goes spinning around.
Jumper, Brown Beauty, Dark Thunder, Sir Snow, a medley of ponies parade in a row
Settled in saddles, their riders hold on to reins of soft leather while circling along on chestnut or charcoal, on sleek Arctic white, on silver they gallop in place day and night.
Such spinning is magic, (to dream as you sail) with lavender saddle and ebony tail, whirling to music in moonlight, spellbound, galloping, galloping, merrily go round.
- Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Carousel works to capture the magical experiences of riding on a merry-go-round. From the bright lights to the carved wooden horses, the piece works to embody carousels; not just as a ride at amusement parks or carnivals but also as working pieces of art. Like a carousel spinning round and round, the piece moves in constant motion, never reaching a state of stasis. With a strong sense of drive and rhythmic diversity, the piece moves up and down, side to side, as if you are sitting on a wooden horse spinning round and round. I hope Carousel brings both performers and listeners back to their childhood and reminds them of a simpler, more innocent time in their lives.
Gibson Mahnke March 6, 2024
Commissioned by the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestra Wind Ensemble (Director: Erik Johnson)
F l u t e 1
F l u t e 2
F l u t e 3
O b o e 1
O b o e 2
C l a r i n e t i n B b 1
C l a r i n e t i n B b 2
C l a r i n e t i n B b 3
B a s s o o n 1
Ba s s o o n 2
Tr u m p e t i n B b 1
Tr u m p e t i n B b 2
H o r n i n F 1
H o r n i n F 2
Tr o m b o n e
° ¢ ° ¢
P
P e r c u s s i o n H a r p P i a n o mf
P l a yf u l
Bs n 2 T p t 1 T p t 2 H n 1
mf s u b f mf f mf s u b p s u b f p f p s u b p s u b f p f p s u b
mf f mf f mf
p s u b f p f p s u b
mf f mf f mf
p s u b f mf f mf
p s u b f p f p s u b
p s u b f p f p s u b
p s u b f p f p s u b p s u b f p s u b f pp s u b p s u b f p s u b f p s u b
s u b f