Description
Duration 5:00 min
This music was inspired by the story of Beren & Lúthien by J. R. R. Tolkien and the beautiful but unfinished poetry he wrote to tell their tale. Not Yet Farewell reflects a moment in that story where Beren returns to the desert and one last impossible battle, bidding farewell to mountains, moon and sky as he goes; but Lúthien has just as much will to fight, so they are reunited and stand together to face their fate.
While initially written as a song, I later rewrote this as an instrumental piece for flute, clarinet and piano with the idea that it was something I’d like to play for my Dad’s eventual funeral – he had since been diagnosed with leukaemia. While he has one of the least aggressive forms, it’s still technically terminal, so that’s something my family has had to come to terms with.
The heart of this music was always the idea of facing a difficult path and choosing to carry on, but remembering there are people who will stand with you. Now realised in the rich and expressive form of the wind ensemble, Not Yet Farewell is my way to share with you that accepting a coming parting doesn’t have to mean giving up everything you have loved along the way. - TB
Instrumentation
Flute 1 2, Oboe, Bassoon, Bb Clarinet 1 2 3, Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax 1 2, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, F Horn 1 2, Bb Trumpet 1 2 3, Trombone 1 2, Bass Trombone, Euphonium (BC & TC parts included), Tuba, Double Bass, Timpani, Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Tam-tam, Vibraphone