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Lux Aurumque

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Note from Composer

After deciding upon the poem by Edward Esch (I was immediately struck by its genuine, elegant simplicity), I had it translated into the Latin by the celebrated American poet Charles Anthony Silvestri. A simple approach was essential to the success of the work, and I waited patiently for the tight harmonies to shimmer and glow.

Lux Aurumque was commissioned by the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, and is dedicated with love to my great friend Dr. Jo Michael Scheibe.

The Text

Lux,
Calida gravisque pura velut aurum
Et canunt angeli molliter
modo natum.

Light,
warm and heavy as pure gold
and angels sing softly
to the new-born babe.

Edward Esch, b.1970
(Translated to Latin by Charles Anthony Silvestri)

Duration

4 minutes

Year of Composition

2000

Licensing

GIA Publications

TTBB

Note from Composer

After deciding upon the poem by Edward Esch (I was immediately struck by its genuine, elegant simplicity), I had it translated into the Latin by the celebrated American poet Charles Anthony Silvestri. A simple approach was essential to the success of the work, and I waited patiently for the tight harmonies to shimmer and glow.

The TTBB arrangement of Lux Aurumque was commissioned by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles. It is dedicated to its conductor, Dr. Bruce Mayhall.

The Text

Lux,
Calida gravisque pura velut aurum
Et canunt angeli molliter
modo natum.

Light,
warm and heavy as pure gold
and angels sing softly
to the new-born babe.

Edward Esch, b.1970
(Translated to Latin by Charles Anthony Silvestri)

Duration

4 minutes

Year of Composition

2001

Licensing

GIA Publications

Concert Band

Note from Composer

After deciding upon the poem by Edward Esch (I was immediately struck by its genuine, elegant simplicity), I had it translated into the Latin by the celebrated American poet Charles Anthony Silvestri. A simple approach was essential to the success of the work, and I waited patiently for the tight harmonies to shimmer and glow.

The Wind Symphony transcription was commissioned by the Texas All State band. It is dedicated to Maestro Gary Green.

Instrumentation

Flutes 1-4
Oboes 1 & 2
Bassoons 1 & 2
Contrabassoon
Clarinets in B 1, 2 & 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophones 1 & 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpets in B 1-2
Horns in F 1-4
Trombones 1 & 2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba

Duration

6 minutes

Year of Composition

2005

Difficulty

Level 4

Licensing

GIA Publications

Purchase

US: Hal Leonard
UK: Musicroom
World: Music Shop Europe

Perusal Score

View

Orchestra

Note from Composer

After deciding upon the poem by Edward Esch (I was immediately struck by its genuine, elegant simplicity), I had it translated into the Latin by the celebrated American poet Charles Anthony Silvestri. A simple approach was essential to the success of the work, and I waited patiently for the tight harmonies to shimmer and glow.

Instrumentation

Flutes 1 & 2
Oboes
Clarinets in B 1 & 2
Bassoons 1 & 2
Horns in F 1-4
Trumpets in B1, 2 & 3 (additional parts in C available)
Tenor trombones 1 & 2
Bass trombone
Tuba
Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Violoncello
Contrabass

Duration

5 minutes

Year of Composition

2015

Licensing

GIA Publications

Purchase

US: Hal Leonard
UK: Musicroom
World: Music Shop Europe

Perusal Score

View

String Orchestra

Note from Composer

After deciding upon the poem by Edward Esch (I was immediately struck by its genuine, elegant simplicity), I had it translated into the Latin by the celebrated American poet Charles Anthony Silvestri. A simple approach was essential to the success of the work, and I waited patiently for the tight harmonies to shimmer and glow.

The String Orchestra transcription was commissioned by the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.

This arrangement is not yet published and therefore not available for performance.

Instrumentation

Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Violoncello
Contrabass

Duration

5 minutes

Year of Composition

2004

Licensing

GIA Publications

Marimba Quartet

Note from Composer

I was delighted when Eric got in touch to ask if I might arrange some of his choral music for marimba. I first met and worked with Eric in 2012, when I was invited to organise the percussion elements of his debut BBC Proms Concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

His music contains many of the things I love in choral music; lush tonal harmonies, strong audience engagement and a firm spiritual connection. We also share a similar taste in 1980’s pop, although I would be the 4th member of A-ha, not the 5th member of Depeche Mode!

I began with three pieces from the album ‘Light and Gold’, which sit perfectly for marimba quartet, positioning four players at two marimbas.

I transcribed Sleep replacing the voices with the warm, earthy tones of the marimbas to make a seriously special marimba chorale. To contrast A Boy and a Girl contains some eighth note passages to convey momentum, whilst Lux Aurumque employs up to twelve mallets across the instruments to keep the original division of parts.

For October I added two vibraphones (played without motor) to the marimbas to utilize the wider sound pallet of the mallet quartet. Using the choral reworking Alleluia this music chimes and sparkles, a humble meditation on the glory of autumn.

Joby Burgess, Arranger

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Instrumentation

4 Marimbas

Duration

4 minutes

Year of Composition

2018

Licensing

Boosey & Hawkes

Purchase

Digital: SheetMusicDirect

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