A Poem Against War Harrie Janssen

Titel / Title: A Poem Against War
Untertitel / Subtitle:
Instrumentation: Concert Band

A Poem against War A Poem against War was commissioned by Psalm 150, Dinxperlo for the project Leven in Vrijheid!.Starting point of the composition of this piece was the poem A Poem against War from the American poet Karen Kapowich. The poem tells of young lives that are broken in their start because of war.A monument
founded in memory of the soldiers who gave their lives
is hardly noticed and even ignored. Children find the tree-sheltered memorial place rather scary and even the narrator speeds up his stride when passing. Underlying theme is the otiosity of war.The musical piece is composed of two parts that are being played without interruption. The first part explains the drama of the battle. The second part is based on the poem of Karen Karpowich in which we look back on the sacrifices that have been made. The text is sung by a Mezzo Soprano and emphasizes the bloodshed that comes along with every war. The opening theme returns at the end of the piece but in a complete metamorphosis, wherein optimism and vigor take place for resignation knowing that history repeats itself time and time again. A Poem against War had its premiere on 25th November 2012 in de DRU Cultuurfabriek in Ulft by Fanfare-orchestra Psalm 150, Dinxperlo led by Tijmen Botma. The Mezzo Soprano was Elske ter Lindert.commissioned by Psalm 150, Dinxperlo for the project Leven in Vrijheid!.Starting point of the composition of this piece was the poem A Poem against War from the American poet Karen Kapowich. The poem tells of young lives that are broken in their start because of war.A monument
founded in memory of the soldiers who gave their lives
is hardly noticed and even ignored. Children find the tree-sheltered memorial place rather scary and even the narrator speeds up his stride when passing. Underlying theme is the otiosity of war.The musical piece is composed of two parts that are being played without interruption. The first part explains the drama of the battle. The second part is based on the poem of Karen Karpowich in which we look back on the sacrifices that have been made. The text is sung by a Mezzo Soprano and emphasizes the bloodshed that comes along with every war. The opening theme returns at the end of the piece but in a complete metamorphosis, wherein optimism and vigor take place for resignation knowing that history repeats itself time and time again. A Poem against War had its premiere on 25th November 2012 in de DRU Cultuurfabriek in Ulft by Fanfare-orchestra Psalm 150, Dinxperlo led by Tijmen Botma. The Mezzo Soprano was Elske ter Lindert.

Besetzungsliste / Instrumentation:

1 Full Score A3
0 Full Score
1 Piano
1 Voice
1 Piccolo
2 Flute I
2 Flute II
1 Oboe I
1 Oboe II
1 English Horn
1 Bassoon I
1 Bassoon II
1 Clarinet Eb
4 Clarinet I
4 Clarinet II
4 Clarinet III
1 Alto Clarinet Eb
1 Bass Clarinet
2 Alto Saxophone I
2 Alto Saxophone II
2 Tenor Saxophone
1 Baritone Saxophone
2 Trumpet I
2 Trumpet II
2 Trumpet III
2 Trumpet IV
1 Horn I Eb
1 Horn I F
1 Horn II Eb
1 Horn II F
1 Horn III Eb
1 Horn III F
1 Horn IV Eb
1 Horn IV F
2 Trombone I C
1 Trombone I Bb (TC)
1 Trombone I Bb (BC)
2 Trombone II C
1 Trombone II Bb (TC)
1 Trombone II Bb (BC)
2 Trombone III C
1 Trombone III Bb (TC)
1 Trombone III Bb (BC)
1 Trombone IV C
2 Baritone C
2 Baritone Bb (BC)
2 Baritone Bb (TC)
2 Bas Bb (TC)
2 Bas Bb (BC)
2 Bas Eb (TC)
2 Bas Eb (BC)
4 Tuba C
1 Stringbass
1 Harp
1 Percussion I
1 Percussion II
1 Percussion III
1 Percussion IV
1 Timpani