Atlas Rising

SKU: CF.SPS77

ISBN 9781491147726. UPC: 680160905225. 9 x 12 inches. Key: Bb major.

In Atlas Rising, composer Carl Strommen derives inspiration from the statue of Titan Atlas lifting the universe on his shoulders. Unlike Sisyphus (of perpetual rolling stone fame) the monumental effort of Atlas was successful. This piece takes this idea and models it into an exceptional piece for contest/festival performance.
Atlas Rising was commissioned by WorldStrides OnStage and is dedicated to the thousands of directors who have traveled to a WorldStrides event over the past thirty-five years . WorldStrides OnStage offers performance experiences that fuel the passion of performing artists of all ages with breathtaking productions, prestigious events and premier venues . They provide performance opportunities all over the world where debuts are made, mentors are met, co-stars become lifelong friends and inspirations build bright futures .Directly across the street from St . Patricks Cathedral on 5th avenue and in front of Rockefeller Center in NYC, is the Lee Lawrie sculpture of Atlas holding up the heavens . Titles are always a problem - so after listening to a few playbacks, this very imposing statue of the Titan Atlas lifting the Universe on his shoulders came to mind - starting slowly with the low brass, “Rising” moves steadily with determination and intensity to a powerful and “muscular” conclusion . Unlike Sisyphus (of perpetual rolling stone fame) the monumental effort of Atlas was successful . As with all performing pieces, attention to dynamics and articulation are critical - In “Atlas Rising” - the conductor has many opportunities to interpretive discretion, particularly in the opening slower sections and after measure 109 on to the conclusion .