with brightness round about it (brass band)
composer: Nancy Galbraith (1993)
genre: wind symphony OR  brass band
length: 1 movement, 10:30 minutes
orchestration Eb tpt, 4 solo cnt, rep cnt, 1st cnt(2),
2nd cnt(2), flug, solo hn, 1st hn, 2nd hn,
1st bar, 2nd bar, 1st tbn, 2nd tbn, b tbn,
euph(2), Eb bass, Bb bass, perc(3), pno
publisher: Subito Music Publishing (ASCAP)
60 Depot Street, Verona, NJ 07044
mail@subitomusic.com • 973-857-3440

world premiere: 30 April 1998
River City Brass BandDenis Colwell, conductor
Carnegie Library Hall • Homestead Pennsylvania
program notes: "with brightness round about it" is one of the earliest postminimalist works for wind orchestra, and has enjoyed wide popular appeal. Though not a truly programmatic composition, the title was chosen after its completion from a passage from Ezekiel (1:4) to describe the general spirit of the work. The work was composed in 1991 for a commission from the River City Brass Band, and was revised and re-scored for winds in 1993.
composer's note:

"with brightness round about it" is a melodic, tonal work that develops largely through the use of minimalist techniques, which combine with extensive use of percussion and piano to create an exotic atmosphere throughout the development section.

The work begins very softly with lush, gentle sounds that underlie a thematic line divided among several instruments. The smaller motives that are created through these divisions then combine to form a collage, which in turn becomes background material for the introduction of a dreamy, ethereal piano solo. The mood suddenly shifts with an outburst in the woodwinds as the theme is stated forcefully in the brass. After the minimalist development section, a recapitulation of this forte section is stated. Following a grand climax, the work concludes softly with the piano solo gradually fading into silence. —N.G.

press bytes:

Ms. Galbraith's "with brightness round about it" was the best work on the disk; it showed her ability to use minimalism with skill and subtlety. —American Record Guide (1997)

Ms. Galbraith has a real flair for band writing: this should become an important part of the college wind ensemble repertory. —American Record Guide (1996)

source: nancygalbraith.com