• Performing Arts Databases Home

Symp hony No. 1 - "The Stormlight Archive / Nick Costanza [notated music]

Title

Symp hony No. 1 - "The Stormlight Archive: The Way of Kings". [notated music]

Composer

Costanza, Nick, 1990-

Place of Publication/Creation

Orlando, FL

Published/Created

2017

Type of Material

notated music

Genre

notated music

Publisher

WALL OF SOUND, LL

Imprints

Wall of Sound, LL

1st.

Edition

1st.

Language

Unknown

Media

unmediated

Physical Description

1 score (126 pages)

Carrier

volume

Contents Note

Full Score (Transposing).

Summary

I – This movement opens with a dramatic flair as it is the beginning of an epic fantasy saga in musical form. The story of this movement follows a -- character who surveys the Desolation of the world right after an incredibly fierce and terrible war. The horns' lament marks the first main section of this -- movement, followed later by the memories of torture and agony. The final section is more resolute in its sadness, as the characters break their oaths even -- though they know their actions will have dire consequences. There are two main themes in this movement, though only one of them is played in its -- entirety, and one more important element of the novel is the theme of ten heartbeats, which in this movement can be found pervasively in the percussion -- section. -- II – This movement follows the character Kaladin through his introduction in the story. There are two central ideas in this movement, the first being the -- flashbacks and the second being the main sequence. The flashbacks are fast and slightly panicked musically, while the real-time sections vary depending -- on Kaladin's location and situation. He starts as a slave with depression, and his theme can be heard in the low woodwinds, and as he is passed to a quirky -- slave master the mood of the music changes as well. Kaladin's theme is played in many different styles during the real-time sections, with each being a -- representation of his current state, but the flashback sections contain their own theme. Eventually Kaladin winds up at the Shattered Plains, the location of -- a great and lengthy war, and the theme of this locale is teased at to end this movement. -- III – This movement showcases the conflict at the Shattered Plains. The plains are the setting for an ongoing war, and Kaladin finds himself a slave forced -- to run bridges for one faction. Bridge runs are especially dangerous, yet Kaladin always manages to survive where other cannot. There are two main -- sections in this movement. The first section is the militaristic section, representing the armies at war that Kaladin finds himself a part of. This section -- eventually transitions into the fast second section, which represents the bridge run. The bridge run is chaotic and terrifying, and as Kaladin survives he -- witnesses the deaths of many of his fellows, and this movement ends somber and sad. -- IV – This movement takes us through a Highstorm, which is a magically augmented hurricane. The opening is light but tense; the calm before the storm. -- The first of the two themes of this movement can be first heard in the clarinet, and this particular theme represents Syl, a wind spirit. This theme is passed -- around to many different instruments and sections, and each time something is added. This slow build continues to the climax where all is chaotic and -- finally the storm hits and leaves us with a ringing in our ear. Then, the second theme: the spirit that lives within the storm, who is ancient and cares little -- for mortals. The Stormfather's theme is also passed around to a few different instruments, mostly low reeds, and then the movement ends with the two -- themes played concurrently as the storm clouds pass and sunlight breaks through. -- V – In the final movement, the Knights Radiant return amidst the physical and emotional stress of an ally’s betrayal in the middle of a vicious battle. The -- theme of this movement was first teased by the woodwinds in the middle of the first movement, but to give context the entire ensemble plays Kaladin's -- theme as he takes part in this battle. Other themes from other movements are layered above and below Kaladin's, and eventually every main theme from -- each movement is heard. The main theme is first played by the solo alto saxophone after other themes come and go, and as more instruments and other -- themes add in the stress of the conflict intensifies. Finally, as Kaladin realizes his true potential as a Radiant, the opening fanfare of the first movement -- returns triumphantly to finish the work as dramatically as it began.

Notes

Wind Band: Piccolo,
2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Bassoons, Contrabassoon, Eb Clarinet, 3 Bb Clarinets, Bass Clarinet, 2 Alto Saxophones, Tenor
Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, 4 Bb Trumpets, 4 F Horns, 4 Trombones, Euphonium, Tuba, 6 Percussion (Timpani, Crash Cymbals/Chimes/Orchestral Bells/Tambourine, Tom-toms/Xylophone/Wind Chimes/Vibraphone, Tam-tam/Triangle/Congas/Snare Drum, Bass Drum/Rain Stick/Whip Crack, Suspended Cymbal/Marimba/Wood Blocks).

ISMN with hyphens: 979-0-800119-06-4

Description based on ISMN data provided by the publisher.

Music notation

Staff notation.

Subject

Symphonies

International Standard Music Number (ISMN)

9790800119064

Last Updated: 03-26-2022