Description
Program Notes
Battle of the Elephant Riders, composed by Liam Booth in 2023, is a dark and heroic work for Wind Band that depicts the conflict between two rival tribes of Elephant Riders in a remote mountain region. The piece opens with a haunting horn melody, setting the scene of a rainy night where a tribe, living in a small hamlet at the edge of a mountain range, spots a rival group on the horizon. A conflict is declared and the tribes prepare for battle. Floor toms and a driving staccato bass line build the growing tension as the tribes ready themselves for conflict. On the day of the battle, the music intensifies, with strong lower brass ostinatos and punchy percussion features, supporting the triumphant melody lines as the victorious Elephant Riders return to their village to celebrate.
“Battle of the Elephant Riders” was awarded 1st Place in the ASME Queensland Young Composers Competition 2023.
About The Composer
Liam Booth is a young composer from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Liam began composing at the age of 11 and completed his first major work for wind band at the age of 12, in 2022. Liam’s compositions have received top awards at the ASME Queensland Young Composers Competition for the past 3 years, including 1st place awards in 2023 & 2024. Liam was also a finalist in Queensland Griffith University’s recent ‘Score It’ competition. Liam has been selected to participate in the Queensland Symphony Orchestras compose program in 2024 and 2025, securing one of only 20 places in the program. He has also recently been accepted to The Nowbeat Project for Young Composers from around the world hosted by The Juilliard School in NY.
Instrumentation
Picc, Fl 1 2, Ob, Bsn, Cl 1 2 3, Bs Cl, A Sx 1 2, T Sx, B Sx, F Hn 1 2 3 4, Tpt 1 2 3, Tbn 1 2 3, Bass Tbn, Euph (BC & TC), Tba, Timpani, Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Floor Tom, Tam-tam, Congas, Chimes, Xylophone