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Radiant Joy

Radiant Joy

  • Composer: Bryant, Steven
  • Grade: 5
  • Duration: 5:00
  • Genre: Concert Band
  • Publisher: Gorilla Salad Productions
  • Item No: GOMS-90001
  • Inventory status: In stock


$377.30
Printed set (Score & Parts)
Piccolo (dbl Flute 3)
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe 1/2
Bassoon 1/2
Clarinet in Bb 1
Clarinet in Bb 2
Clarinet in Bb 3
Bass Clarinet 1/2
Soprano Saxophone
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Bb Trumpet 1
Bb Trumpet 2
Bb Trumpet 3
Bb Trumpet 4
Horn in F 1/2
Horn in F 3/4
Trombone 1/2
Trombone 3
Euphonium 1/2
Tuba

Piano
Glockenspiel
Vibraphone
Marimba
Percussion 1 (Triangle, Suspended Cymbal, Drumset Crash (sus.) Cymbal)
Percussion 2 (Hi-hat 1, Drumset Crash (sus.) Cymbal)
Percussion 3 (Hi-hat 2)

Radiant Joy was my first new work after a compositional hiatus, and one that I hope is equal to its title in character and purity of intent. It comes after a difficult period in my personal life, and thus its character was something of a surprise to me. This work began life as a strict, 12-tone, serialized creature modeled on Webern - I wanted something sparse and tightly constructed (in harmonic and intervallic terms), while still retaining a vital rhythmic pulse. After several sketches that ended in anger and frustration, I realized I was metaphorically banging my head against the creative wall, and perhaps I should stop forcing this music into existence with a prescriptive process, and simply listen inwardly to what I actually wanted to hear. The result is simultaneously the opposite of what I was originally trying to create, and also its direct realization ? the vital rhythmic pulse is still prominent, but the harmonic materials veered toward the language of 70s/80s funk/jazz/fusion (take your pick). Regardless, the piece is intended to emanate joy and 'good vibes' (literally ? the vibraphone is critical to the piece!), for the performers, the audience, and the composer!

(Steven Bryant)