Program Notes:
The horn-blowing angel Gabriel is often portrayed as a very serious character who is given the weighty responsibility of delivering important messages such as the Annunciation to the virgin Mary or the final trumpet blast that signals Christ's return. In Gabriel Takes Flight, we see a much different angel, perhaps well-rested after the final battle and relaxing in heaven but still seeking adventure through flight. This tone poem depicts the angel Gabriel soaring through the clouds, dodging thunderclouds, and bursting through layers of white into brilliant sunlight. Many sections of Gabriel Takes Flight are reminiscent of the type of soundtrack that might underscore the inspiring moment of flight within the animated films of Hayao Miyazaki such as "Howl's Moving Castle," "Spirited Away," or "Castle in the Sky," whose soundtracks have been an inspiration. The piece is dedicated to Peter Kuipers, whose lyrical trumpet-playing inspired the long flowing lines and dynamic phrasing found throughout Gabriel Takes Flight.
Full Score
The horn-blowing angel Gabriel is often portrayed as a very serious character who is given the weighty responsibility of delivering important messages such as the Annunciation to the virgin Mary or the final trumpet blast that signals Christ's return. In Gabriel Takes Flight, we see a much different angel, perhaps well-rested after the final battle and relaxing in heaven but still seeking adventure through flight. This tone poem depicts the angel Gabriel soaring through the clouds, dodging thunderclouds, and bursting through layers of white into brilliant sunlight. Many sections of Gabriel Takes Flight are reminiscent of the type of soundtrack that might underscore the inspiring moment of flight within the animated films of Hayao Miyazaki such as "Howl's Moving Castle," "Spirited Away," or "Castle in the Sky," whose soundtracks have been an inspiration. The piece is dedicated to Peter Kuipers, whose lyrical trumpet-playing inspired the long flowing lines and dynamic phrasing found throughout Gabriel Takes Flight.
Full Score