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Night Flight
for flute, clarinet and piano
Score incl. single parts
Difficulty: very difficult
NDV BP0363
About the Composition
Night Flight (1999) for piccolo, clarinet, and piano by Howard J. Buss (ASCAP) was composed for Rebecca Arrensen (Indianapolis Symphony) and the National Flute Association.
This colorful and engaging composition is programmatic in that it is a musical depiction (in general terms) of an eventful flight of a jetliner. Measures 1 through 38 represent the leisurely taxiing of the aircraft as it moves into position on the runway.
During mm. 39-50 the heavy plane builds momentum as it powers down the runway. The lyrical and lilting section from measures 51 to 137 suggests a smooth flight through the moonlit, starry sky.
This section should be performed in a light, buoyant manner. Expressive use of rubato is particularly effective in this passage.
The final portion of the composition is characterized by drama and excitement as the airliner descends through heavy clouds and engages a ferocious thunderstorm.
The turbulent music gains in intensity as the plane approaches the runway and concludes with an exhilarating touch down on the final beat of the work.
This final section (mm. 138-end) is strongly influenced by jazz. Although it does not swing, it is helpful to thing of this music in as jazzy when bringing out the nuances of articulation and rhythmic emphasis.
Night Flight was premiered at the Convention of the National Flute Association on August 20, 1999 in Atlanta by Rebecca Arrensen, piccolo Robert E. Price, clarinet and Paula Peace, piano.
It has been recorded on the CD TAKE WING: Lois Bliss Herbine, piccolo Charles Abramovic, piano Allison Herz, clarinet Sophie Bruno, harp Allen Krantz, guitar - Crystal Records CD713.
Duration: 9 1/2 minutes
About the Composer
Howard J. Buss (b.1951) is recognized internationally as a composer of contemporary classical music. His compositions have received critical acclaim and have been performed in more than 50 countries.
His music is frequently featured at national and international music conventions and festivals. Faculty musicians from major universities as well as current and former members of organizations such as The Boston Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Vancouver Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, etc have performed them.
A copy of his patriotic composition Fanfares is included in the Presidential Collection of Ronald Reagan. Buss’ more than 170 published works include instrumental solos, chamber music, symphonic, choral, and band works.
The legendary Leon Russianoff described Dr. Buss’ style as “imaginative, sincere, rewarding to both performers and audiences, and without the gimmickry which is so prevalent in contemporary music today.”
Upon hearing his music critics have written: “By far the night’s most memorable piece” - The Los Angeles Times, “This is truly one of the finest works in our idiom” - Robert McCormick in the Florida Percussive News, and “The evening’s highlight” - The Maine Sunday Telegram.
Buss has received numerous awards and his commissioned works include original compositions as well as arrangements.
His works are frequently included and analyzed in doctoral dissertations, lectures, professional music journals, and music literature bibliographies, and his compositions have been recorded on the Albany, Bottega Discantica (Italy), Crystal, Capstone, DUX (Poland), Equilibrium, HoneyRock, IBS Classical (Spain), PL Productions, C. Alan Publications, Ravello (PARMA), and Urania (Italy) labels.
Howard J. Buss received his B.A. in Applied Music from West Chester University, M.M. in Performance and M.M. in Composition from Michigan State University, and D.M.A. in Composition from the University of Illinois.
He is the founder and editor of Brixton Publications (ASCAP) and Buss Publications (BMI), which publish contemporary American concert music.
