arkexit
A divertimento for orchestra.
Duration: 5' 30"
Difficulty: 3/5 (Difficulty Rating Overview)
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2 Flutes
2 Oboes (2nd doubling English horn)
2 Clarinets in B♭
2 Bassoons
3 Horns in F
2 Trumpets in B♭
Timpani
Strings
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arkexit is essentially a piece made of pairs, with themes announced by instrumental duos, accompaniments in two parts, and orchestrations blending tandem colors. This approach was born of reflection on the instrumentation for Beethoven’s Eroica symphony, which defined the musical palette for tonight’s concert. Of course, one cannot think about pairs for long without considering the most famous ensemble of pairs in history: those of Noah’s floating zoo. Hence the title. Although no specific relationship is intended between the music and details of the Deluge, the more metaphorically minded might find hints of a playful romp after long confinement, or delight found in the freshness of air and sky on the first sunrise after weeks of rain. Let your imagination take you where it will!
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arkexit was premiered on August 4, 2002 by the Topanga Symphony with Jerome Kessler conducting. The ensemble performed the work again on November 16, 2008.
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“The program opened with the world premiere of arkexit, a delightful and witty work by J.A.C. Redford, prolific composer for film and television, who was present at the concert and received a well-deserved ovation.” (Messenger: The Santa Monica Mountains News and Arts Publication, August 12, 2002)
“The opening piece, arkexit by J.A.C. Redford, began lively, bright and cheerful. The piece is filled with a series of beautiful melodies each played by the instruments in sets of two--just as the animals would have left the ark to arrive on land after a long rain.” (Jeanne Mitchell, “Topanga Symphony Autumn Concert,” Topanga Messenger, 4 December 2008)
Purchase arkexit
Instrumental Scores:
Scores and parts are delivered as PDF files. A set of parts includes permission to make the requisite copies for the ensemble.
Pricing:
Score - $25
Parts - $50