Ascension (2013)
Euphonium, Trumpet & Brass Band
Difficulty: 6
Duration: c. 8 minutes
Publisher: Tom Davoren Music
Ascension takes it’s name from the inspirational phenomenon that was Felix Baumgartner’s 2012 ‘Red Bull Stratos Jump’; the first free-fall skydive from the stratosphere. In an age where the stimulation of mass media is so prevalent, it is a rare thing for a single event to captivate the global consciousness. However, the sheer magnitude of human endeavor shown by the ‘Stratos’ project achieved just this.
The piece is structured in two continuous sections, representing both the ascending and descending stages of the jump through a gradually unfolding meditation and adrenaline fueled scherzo. In line with this contrast, the progressive expansion of technical difficulty and intensity of solo instrumental writing tries to capture the physical experience of Baumgartner himself during the jump.
Ascension was jointly commissioned by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force (UK) and Brass Band of Battle Creek (USA) for performance by Steven Mead, Chris Jaudes and Ben Godfrey.
Duration: c. 8 minutes
Publisher: Tom Davoren Music
Ascension takes it’s name from the inspirational phenomenon that was Felix Baumgartner’s 2012 ‘Red Bull Stratos Jump’; the first free-fall skydive from the stratosphere. In an age where the stimulation of mass media is so prevalent, it is a rare thing for a single event to captivate the global consciousness. However, the sheer magnitude of human endeavor shown by the ‘Stratos’ project achieved just this.
The piece is structured in two continuous sections, representing both the ascending and descending stages of the jump through a gradually unfolding meditation and adrenaline fueled scherzo. In line with this contrast, the progressive expansion of technical difficulty and intensity of solo instrumental writing tries to capture the physical experience of Baumgartner himself during the jump.
Ascension was jointly commissioned by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force (UK) and Brass Band of Battle Creek (USA) for performance by Steven Mead, Chris Jaudes and Ben Godfrey.