Dirk Brossé

The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River

version for Symphony Orchestra

2019

9’45”

DESCRIPTION  

Grand Canyon of the Colorado River is based on the painting of the same name by American painter Thomas Moran (1837-1926). The painting shows the immense grandeur of the Grand Canyon. This appropriately cinematographic musical interpretation also illustrates the magnificence of this beautiful landscape. The music glides over the mighty canyon like a camera. When that camera suddenly dives down through the clouds and lands on the river’s misty surface, a hymn of praise begins.

A cantus firmus resounds from the low basses, over which a melody slowly develops from a small thin line in the cellos into a glorious conclusion with the tutti orchestra.

The camera disappears towards the zenith, until the canyon is just a tiny speck on the earth’s surface. 

INSTRUMENTATION

2222 / 4231 / timp + 2 perc* / hp / strings

*percussion instruments:

percussion 1: tam tam – triangle – crotales (bowed) – glockenspiel

percussion 2: suspended cymbal – 2 bongo – windchimes

COMMISSION

Commissioned by Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen

 

PREMIERE

World premiere by the Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen (Young), conducted by Martijn Dendievel on April 20, 2019, at Miryhall, Royal Conservatory of Music Ghent.

 

PUBLISHER

Dirk Brossé 

AVAILABLE SCORES

Available on a rental base

REATED RECORDINGS

Brussels Philharmonic plays Dirk Brossé / A Journey from Philly to Utopia

Antarctic Records 2020 AR 019

CATEGORIES

 

Works for Orchestra / Chamber Orchestra