"A Galactic Suite" is a four-movement programmatic concert suite for young concert band, for which Michael Zeh (*1979) was awarded first prize in the "Saxoniade" composition competition in 2008.
In the first movement, “Space Odyssey", the orchestra sets off on a journey into space and, after the exciting rocket ignition, floats away into infinite space with the spherical sounds of flutes and glockenspiel. The first galactic destination is the constellation of “Orion”, which is one of the most striking constellations in the firmament and whose dignified sight is musically described in the second movement of the suite. Orion was a brave hunter in Greek mythology who boasted of his ability to kill any living animal. This angered the earth goddess Gaea, so she sent a scorpion to kill the hunter. This story can also be followed in the starry sky, because if the constellation of Scorpio rises in the east, Orion sets in the west, fatally injured.
The musical journey through space now continues to the planet “Mars”. Because of its blood-red color, the planet was named after the Roman god of war, Mars. His connection to the elements of fire and iron is musically outlined in the third movement.
The end of the eventful journey is the breathtaking sight of countless shooting stars, the “Falling Stars”. For the musical representation of this spectacle, the orchestra is divided into five groups, each of which has to play a specific sequence of notes or a specific effect at the conductor's signal. The adventurous trip into space ends with a fascinating shooting star fireworks display.
“A Galactic Suite” by Michael Zeh is deliberately kept simple, so that it is suitable for orchestras from the lower school level and wind instruments classes. In addition, the basic instrumentation on which the score is based not only enables an effective performance with a full wind orchestra line-up, but also with a minimal line-up (1 flute, 2 clarinets, 1 alto saxophone, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, 1 tenor horn/euphonium , 1 tuba and percussion) without diminishing the spectacular effect of the suite.
1.Space Odyssey
2.Orion
3.Mars (God of War)
4.Falling Stars
BASIC SOUND
From S to XXL – Music for any band instrumentation
"Basic Sound" is a series by RUNDEL Music Publications offering an attractive and diversified repertoire to bands at grade 2 or 3 level, of sizes S to XXL. "Basic Sound" allows for performances by groups with limited instrumentation. Minimun requirements are clearly bracketed in the score.
The smallest size (S) of "Basic Sound" is based on the following instruments:
one (1) flute, two (2) clarinets, one (1) alto-saxophone, two (2) trumpets, one (1) trombone, one (1) baritone/euphonium, one (1) tuba and percussion.
Each edition also includes a full set of parts (XXL). That way the conductor can adjust the pieces of the "Basic Sound" series to his band's instrumentation.