Hour of Wolves, The Kimberly Archer

Band
Number of Players:Standard
Copyright:2005
Flute 1/2
Oboe
Bassoon
Clarinet in Bb 1
Clarinet in Bb 2
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet in Bb 1/2
Horn in F
Trombone 1/2
Baritone B.C.
(Baritone T.C.)
Tuba

Timpani
Percussion 1(Chimes, Bells)
Percussion 2 (Marimba 2 players)
Percussion 3 (Vibraphone 2 players)
Percussion 4 (Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Tam-Tam, Crash Cymbals)
The Hour of Wolves is the third installment of an unofficial "Lord of the Rings" triptych. The title is based on a line of dialogue from the third film, when the king of the decimated Western army gives a speech at the enemy's gates, hoping to rally his troops one last time: "There may come a time an hour of wolves and shattered shields when the Age of Men comes crashing down, but it will not be this day!" The image of an "hour of wolves" struck me as particularly vivid and dark, well-suited for a work that exploits the harmonic minor scale, deep timbres, and occasionally violent rhythmic gestures.