Falling Stars
Inspired by a poem of the same name by Rainer Maria Rilke, Falling Stars paints a picture of reflection, wonder, and longing through its vivid imagery of a meteor shower.
Medium: Concert Band
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Composed: 2019
Duration: 3:30
Difficulty: Grade 2.5
Instrumentation
Flute
Oboe (opt.)
Bassoon (opt.)
Clarinet 1
Clarinet 2
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet 1
Trumpet 2
F Horn
Trombone
Baritone
TC Baritone
Tuba
Timpani (4 drums)
Bells
Vibraphone
Percussion 1 (Triangle, Bass Drum)
Percussion 2 (Wind Chimes, Suspended Cymbal)
Program Notes
Inspired by a poem of the same name by Rainer Maria Rilke, Falling Stars paints a picture of reflection, wonder, and longing through its vivid imagery of a meteor shower.
FALLING STARS by RAINER MARIA RILKE (trans. Albert Ernest Flemming)
Do you remember still the falling stars
that like swift horses through the heavens raced
and suddenly leaped across the hurdles
of our wishes--do you recall? And we
did make so many! For there were countless numbers
of stars: each time we looked above we were
astounded by the swiftness of their daring play,
while in our hearts we felt safe and secure
watching these brilliant bodies disintegrate,
knowing somehow we had survived their fall.
