NGC 7320 (2023) - for Tuba Quartet
NGC 7320 was written for Dr. Lee Harrelson and the UMKC Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble in early 2023. NGC 7320 is a spiral galaxy located within a group of galaxies called Stephan’s Quintet but is not considered a true member of the quintet due to it being further away than the rest of the Quintet’s galaxies. I was inspired to write this work after learning about Stephan’s quintet from my friend Evan. The piece gives NGC 7320 a personality; given its exclusion from the Quintet, it is lonely and unheard, eventually becoming angry and resentful at the other galaxies, culminating in a gigantic cosmic storm. This storyline is depicted through a slow pondering A section with SATB, choral-like melodic and harmonic writing, and an opposing aggressive, angular B section in 12/8 time with clashing harmonies, driving rhythms, and bombastic melodies.
Duration: Approx. 5-6 minutes
Difficulty: 4/5
Format: PDF Score and parts - Tuba/Euphonium Quartet (EETT)
Copyright © 2023 Ian Lester