Through Pillars

Composed by Alex Tedrow for ScoreAble and The University of Texas at Austin Rainwater Grant for American Music.

Through Pillars references the famous Pillars of Creation photograph taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. The bulk of this piece was composed over the months that I have gotten to know my partner, Kayla, who works as a rocket scientist (yes, literally) here in Washington D.C. Being the space nerd that she is, she went on and on about the Pillars of Creation on our first date (her favorite space photo), and I remember being so excited and full of creative energy from the date that I came straight home and worked on this piece, getting over a major writing block.

Purchase Version A from Murphy Music Press
Purchase Version B from Murphy Music Press
Cover image for Through Pillars

Details

  • Flute 1, 2
    Oboe 1, 2
    English Horn
    Bb Clarinet 1, 2, 3
    Bb Bass Clarinet
    Bassoon 1, 2
    Contrabassoon
    Eb Alto Saxophone 1, 2
    Bb Tenor Saxophone
    Eb Baritone Saxophone

    Bb Trumpet 1, 2, 3 (straight mute required)
    F Horn 1, 2
    Trombone 1, 2
    Bass Trombone
    Euphonium
    Tuba

    String Bass (optional)
    Piano
    Hard
    Timpani

    Percussion (4-6 players)

    1. Bass Drum, Tam-Tam

    2. Suspended Cymbal, Tom Drum

    3. Triangle, Tom Drum, Marimba

    4. Tubular Bells, Glockenspiel, Temple Blocks, Vibraphone, Suspended Cymbal

  • Version A is composed at approximately a Grade 5 level of difficulty, whereas Version B is approximately a Grade 3.5. The difficulty difference is reflected in the expressive and technical demands of the individual parts, as well as the relative independence required to play them successfully in an ensemble setting.