Black Sea, The (band version)

Originally written for orchestra, the musical material for The Black Sea also works well in a concert band setting. Running eighth notes deftly move between changing time signatures and rising and falling dynamics, creating waves of sound and motion.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 3 | Duration: 2:10

Instrumentation
Flute 1/2
Oboe 1/2
Clarinet in Bb 1/2
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Alto Saxophone 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

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

Timpani
Percussion 1 (Suspended Cymbal, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Tambourine, Medium Low Concert Tom, Finger Cymbals)
Percussion 2 (Xylophone)
Percussion 3 (Vibraphone, Marimba)

Program Notes
The Black Sea was inspired by a poem by Robert Bly:

Ah, on this planet we are born again and again. A gold sun rises in the East, but for us it is a black sun. Each time the black sun rises, dazzling and tremendous, its sadness flows into us. I listen and I see a horse- dragon swim up out of the Black Sea. It climbs into the air. Play on, play on – what can we do but long for this dragon-water from the Black Sea to fall on us?