Nigel Hess

The Winds Of Power

Unlike Nigel Hess's other works for wind band, The Winds of Power is not a programmatic work. After a dark and menacing opening a solo trumpet introduces a theme which will eventually become the centre of a piece and is soon heard tutti in a lyrical form. This is interrupted by a return to the opening mood, with only a brief respite in the form of a chorale for clarinet choir and harp. The theme tries to return once more in a rousing, somewhat cinematic version, but again the sense of foreboding overtakes it. An unsettling march-like section follows before the theme returns in its most lyrical and gentle guise, introduced by solos in the woodwind section. Eventually, a maestoso statement which erupts into a presto coda, ends the journey in a triumphant, more optimistic blaze of sound.

Instrumentation: picc.2 fl.2 ob.ca.Ebcl.3 cl.acl.2 bcl.cbcl.2 asax.tsax.bsax.2 bsn.cbsn - 4 hn.3 crt.2 tpt.2 trbn.btrbn.2 euph.tuba - timp - perc(4): glsp/xyl/vib/tgl/tam-t/cyms/susp.cym/SD/TD/BD/tamb - harp - string bass