Colours (1997)

GRADE 5 • 11:00 • published by Wingert-Jones Music

Performance: Rutgers Wind Ensemble | Conductor: William Berz

PROGRAM NOTES

Colours is an impressionistic work with each of the six movement of the piece representing a particular color.  Composed in early 1997, Colours was commissioned by the Kansas State University Bands and premiered on May 10, 1997 with the composer conducting his work. 

 The music of each movement is not based so much on the outward appearance of its color, but rather the pigments that are combined to produce the particular color.   Taken one step further, the color of each pigment is translated into its symbolic meaning which is then represented through the music (ie., green: warm, organic, middling qualities, immortality, neutrality).  The musical “pigments” are blended into the composition of each movement to create the impression of the color.  Therefore, the work represents the association of color symbolism as interpreted through music as opposed to "orchestra colors" or timbres.  Obviously the whole matter of color symbolism is highly subjective.  It should also be stated that color symbolism can differ among cultures as well. 

 The particular colors that each movement represents were chosen by the composer because of their contrast to one another.  Why the English spelling of Colours instead of the American spelling?  Most of the source books used to research the symbolism of colors used this particular spelling.

INSTRUMENTATION

Winds: Piccolo, Flute 1 & 2, Oboe 1 & 2, English Horn, Bassoon 1 & 2, Eb Clarinet, Bb Clarinet 1 - 3, Bb Bass Clarinet, Bb Contrabass Clarinet, Eb Alto Saxophones 1 & 2, Bb Tenor Saxophone, Eb Baritone Saxophone

Brass: Bb Trumpet 1 - 3, F Horn 1 - 4, Trombone 1 - 2, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba

Percussion: Timpani, Percussion 1 (snare drum, tambourine, triangle, whip, bass drum, suspended cymbal, vibra-slap, congas), Percussion 2 (crash cymbals, triangle, hi-hat, concert toms, tubo/or cabasa, suspended cymbal, splash cymbal, woodblock, rachet), Percussion 3 (triangle, chimes, orchestra bells, marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, temple blocks)