Endurance

Description:

This work is a musical reflection upon the Infinite endurance of the human spirit, the religious spirit, and the spirit of the earth. Initial Inspiration for the piece came from a book of the same title by Alfred Lansing documenting the amazing story of the ill-fated expedition of the Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton in 1914–1916. His ship, the "Endurance," became ice-bound and eventually sank, stranding Shackleton and his crew of 27. They experienced over 15 months of life exposed to the unrelenting, dangerous Antarctic weather, and, miraculously survived to tell it. The strength of character exhibited by these men in enduring incredible hardships is truly awe-inspiring. Since reading this fascinating account, the story has been in the back of my mind whenever I find myself challenged by what seems to be insurmountable problems. It helps me put things into a proper perspective.

I have also been moved by recent expressions of religious spirit around the world, finding solace in the realization that this spirit has and forever will endure in many forms. Finally, as we continue to pollute our planet, I can't help but get the sense that it, too, will endure, going through some sort of forced evolution in spite of our maltreatment. All three spirts—human, religious, earth—also seem intertwined to me. In pondering them, I find hope and peace.

"Endurance" was commissioned by the American Bandmasters Association in conjunction with the awarding of Its 36th Biennial ABA/Ostwald Composition Award for my 1990 work "The Soaring Hawk." "Endurance" was premiered by the United States lnterservice Band, Ed Lisk, Conductor, at the58th Annual Convention of the American Bandmasters Association in Constitution Hall, Washington D.C. on March 7, 1992.
—Timothy Mahr

Catalog:	7685200
Publisher:	Neil A Kjos
Composer:	Mahr, Timothy
Artist:
Arranger:
More Info:
Voicing:	Concert Band
Level:	5
Pages:	0

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