Howard OBSIDIAN

HOWARD

Obsidian A Volcanic Ash Lullaby for Brass Band Score

ISSUU version for perusal only

EMILY HOWARD

Obsidian

for Brass Band A Volcanic Ash Lullaby

(2010)

ISSUU version for perusal only

COMPOSER’S NOTE

Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass and was very topical in 2010: the threat of its presence in European airspace brought Europe to a complete standstill in April 2010 when Icelandic Volcano Mount Eyjafjallajokull began eruptions and airports across Europe were forced to close. Coincidentally, before this happened, I had already thought of the title and concept for Obsidian, my first work for brass band. Often I find inspiration in geology, and especially in the history and myths associated with rocks and minerals. In ancient times, obsidian was sought and used for cutting tools, weapons (for example on Easter Island) and ceremonial points such as spearheads. Now it is used in jewellery, scalpel blades, mirrors and even wind chimes. In Obsidian, I have sculpted brass sounds in order to encapsulate these myths as well as the natural qualities of obsidian – dark in appearance, glassy, and sharp to touch.

Emily Howard, 2010

Obsidian was shortlisted for a British Composer Award in 2011.

INSTRUMENTS

Soprano Cornet

9 Cornets

Flugelhorn

Solo Horn

Horns 1 & 2

Baritones 1 & 2

Euphoniums 1 & 2

Trombones 1 & 2

Bass Trombone

Bass Tubas in E - 1 & 2

Bass Tubas in B - 1 & 2

Timpani

Percussion (3 players):

1) Medium Suspended Cymbal, Glockenspiel, Tam-tam (share with 2) 2) Bass Drum, Tam-tam (share with 1) 3) Tubular Bells

Transposed Score

Duration: c. 6 minutes

Commissioned by Prima Vista Music for Nicholas Childs and the Black Dyke Band

First performance on 13 June 2010 at the Brass Arts Festival, Leeds Town Hall, by The Black Dyke Band, conducted by Nicholas Childs

ISSUU version for perusal only

Emily Howard

Emily Howard (b. 1979) first won critical acclaim with the orchestral work Magnetite, commissioned by Liverpool European Capital of Culture for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Her music has been commissioned, performed and broadcast internationally by festivals and ensembles including the BBC Proms, London Symphony Orchestra, New Scientist Live, Wien Modern and Bamberg Symphony. Known for her music’s connection with science, Howard studied Mathematics and Computer Science at Oxford University and holds a Doctorate in Composition from the University of Manchester. Howard is currently Professor of Composition at the Royal Northern College of Music and Director of PRiSM (the RNCM Centre for Practice & Research in Science & Music).

Emily Howard (*1979) wurde zunächst durch ihr Orchesterwerk Magnetite bekannt, das anlässlich der Ernennung Liverpools zur Europäischen Kulturhauptstadt für das Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra entstand. Zu den Interpreten und Auftraggebern ihres Schaffens zählen Festivals und Ensembles in aller Welt, darunter die BBC Proms, das London Symphony Orchestra, New Scientist Live, Wien Modern und die Bamberger Symphoniker. Howard, die in ihrem Schaffen Verbindungen zur Naturwissenschaft herstellt, studierte Mathematik und Informatik an der Universität Oxford und wurde an der Universität Manchester im Fach Komposition promoviert. Gegenwärtig ist sie Professorin für Komposition am Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester und Leiterin von PRISM, dem hochschuleigenen Zentrum für Praxis und Forschung in Naturwissenschaft und Musik.

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