Aurora Borealis

Composer: 
Marilyn Bliss
Instrumentation freestyle: 
4 players, 2 vibraphone, 1 glockenspiel, 3 suspended cymbals, wood block, temple blocks, marimba, crotale, tam-tam, glass chimes, ceramic chimes, sleigh bells, maracas.
Year Authored: 
1990
Duration (min): 
11:
Alternate Title: 
Aurora Borealis
Movements-Titles: 
1

"Aurora Borealis" draws its inspiration from the arctic phenomena also known as the Northern Lights. The author Barry Lopez (in "Arctic Dreams") has described the aurora as "pale gossamer curtains of light that seem to undulate across arctic skies...The most remarkable effect they seem to have...is to draw a viewer emotionally up and out of himself, because they throw the sky into a third dimension..." My composition is meant to reflect this view of the aurora -- its shimmering, almost tangible quality, its envelopment of the senses, its meditative, spiritual presence. Published by Marimba Publications.

Publisher: 
ACA
Publisher URL: 
American Composers Alliance

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