Home Community Music Blog Old MJ More...      
American Fanfare by Tom Atwood [Email]
Genre: Classical

Get Flash to see this player.


Having playback trouble, try the Quicktime player:

Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial
SONG STATS:
Hits: 1739
Comments: 38
Votes: 20
Plays: 415
Last Played: Aug 27, 2008 - 11:58:05 AM
Downloads: 97
Fans: 9
Uploaded: Jul 05, 2005 - 10:13:00 AM
Last Updated: Nov 30, 2005 - 09:52:44 PM
Fan List
Description:
Traditionally, and by strict definition, this piece is probably not really a fanfare. But using the general definition ("a showy display"), I decided to call it American Fanfare. It was written over the July 4th holiday weekend, inspired partly by congregational singing of the National Hymn, which opens with a true fanfare, and begins with this familiar verse:

"God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
Our grateful songs before thy throne arise."

It is possible to experience a deep love of country, even in the midst of dissatisfaction with government and personal feelings of cultural alienation. However, that kind of love and alienation produce tension, which is hopefully present in this short, fast, and sometimes loud piece, this showy display.

Runs 2:39.


Photo by Tom Atwood
near Jackson, Wyoming
June 2004

featured on
songs from the american plain
now available
the lost records™

Hardware:
Casio Privia PX-300
G5


Software:
GB2
Jampack 4 Symphony Orchestra
You must be registered and logged-in to comment.

Culture &mdash 07/05/05 - 12:24:50 PM
Clearly mixed with fresh interesting clear sounds.
Sometimes I feel that far too many are out
of touch and alienated with the history of our culture/
music, not you.
Music can often be considered disposable like ballpoints
in the panic to the newest when the history of music
makes us better listeners & performers today and
tomorrow.


[ Reply to This ]
Culture &mdash 07/05/05 - 02:08:55 PM
Thanks, Scotty. I am glad that you find the sounds in this piece fresh and
interesting. I agree with your comments about the importance of listening
carefully and with respect to what has been created in the past. I think of Roy
Harris, William Schuman, Aaron Copland, Charles Ives, Steve Reich, John
Adams, on and on... (Not that I am comparing myself to them in any way, just
that I sometimes hear their echoes in my music, because I have absorbed
what they have done. It only makes sense.) Thanks again. I appreciate you
taking the time to listen and comment.

---
.

[ Reply to This ]
HEY! &mdash 07/05/05 - 01:24:20 PM
That xelophone (dont know how to spell it) is awesome.
Nice work with the Jampack. Good Vibes, bro.

[ Reply to This ]
HEY! &mdash 07/05/05 - 02:13:16 PM
The working title for this piece on my GB file is "marimba 2." Started out as a
marimba piece, but something happened along the way. Glad you liked it Mr.
S.

---
.

[ Reply to This ]
wow &mdash 07/05/05 - 01:50:01 PM
this reminds me of the theme music to 24, especially when
the drums kick in.
the end, as it fades out, almost has an essence of something
you'd hear on Kid A.
Tom, is there any kind of music you don't make?
I'm waiting for a hip-hop tune... :)

[ Reply to This ]
wow &mdash 07/05/05 - 02:16:26 PM
I think it's safe to say, scoot, that I will not be attempting hip-hop anytime
soon, unless it is part of a wild collaboration with Mr S, 12m or somebody
else who knows the genre...

Thanks for your comments.

---
.

[ Reply to This ]
So very intriguiging &mdash 07/05/05 - 01:58:12 PM
It almost has a dark and somewhat daunting feel to it, but
maybe that's what I associate w/ what sorts of things that
have taken place for us aMericans to have taken
freedom...

Outside of heavinessw of that context, I really liked it. I
liked the richness of textues of all of the instruments and
phrasings especially of course, the percussion.

Another excellent peace! (I know, pardon the stupid)

Cydniko

[ Reply to This ]
So very intriguiging &mdash 07/05/05 - 02:18:52 PM
I appreciate those comments, coming from a percussion man like you. Glad
you felt the darkness in this, too.

---
.

[ Reply to This ]
Man! &mdash 07/06/05 - 03:23:49 AM
I'm sorry Atwood, each time I start this, I was interrupted and sidetracted in
the rudest of ways - I walked away without saying f#@kin WOW!!! I am blown
away by you once again. - Beautiful work - Simply stunning!

See, this is why I do this at 2:00Am Thanks

[ Reply to This ]
So very intriguiging &mdash 07/06/05 - 01:14:23 AM
the darkness was through my own dark shades, so i have come
back to listen again, because i really did like this piece and was just in too big
of a hurry to be more positive and thoughful the first time around.

i love the play w/ dynamics here from a curious light and airy
space to an intensity of stage that is usually associated with our uniformed
angels of freedom. maybe it's not so much that it's that awfully dark as much
as it is intense. I like the way the horns and percussion represent that. I also
like the way the strings sort of state the levity of it all in the subltle ways that
they do.

I'm going for three; I love the percussive action here. All of the 'scapes sound
complex and simple at same time. Very clean w/ everthing being well stated.
No unnessesary confusion just because you have a new toy. (thanks for
avoiding that one)

Thanks for sharing this tune with us

Cydniko

Be a good passenger and let your passions drive you

[ Reply to This ]
Epic! &mdash 07/05/05 - 04:07:18 PM
Wow this is really great! Shows what can be accomplished
in GB....really great track. Well done
S

[ Reply to This ]
. &mdash 07/05/05 - 06:42:19 PM
now thats a hectic scene. Has a bunch of ups and downs.
Real creative.

[ Reply to This ]
Seriously good piece! &mdash 07/05/05 - 06:46:54 PM
There are lots of us "in the midst of dissatisfaction with
government and personal feelings of cultural alienation"
at the present time in our respective histories. This piece
is somehow both reflective of the state of things and
uplifting - there's always hope that things will change.

A really interesting piece of music, and a fine example of
what GB can do (with the right person behind the wheel!).

[ Reply to This ]
Seriously good piece! &mdash 07/07/05 - 05:45:46 AM
There is always hope, One Horse Down, and I'm glad you sensed it in this
piece. Thanks.

---
.

[ Reply to This ]
Stunning... &mdash 07/05/05 - 08:44:42 PM
simply stunning. It's a composition so packed with
emotion and power...

Wow.
Thanks for sharing this.



[ Reply to This ]
Great &mdash 07/05/05 - 09:42:51 PM
percussion! The whole composition is cool, very engaging and powerful.

[ Reply to This ]
Ditto......... &mdash 07/05/05 - 10:08:01 PM
I found myself agreeing with so much of what has already
been expressed about this powerful piece. That
keyboard of yours is certainly getting some good use.
Keyboeard is next on my list of buys.
I think fanfare is appropriate.
8-8-8-8

Jack

[ Reply to This ]
Ditto......... &mdash 07/07/05 - 05:47:26 AM
Thanks, Mysti, Jack, and PV.

---
.

[ Reply to This ]
cool exciting tune! &mdash 07/06/05 - 05:24:05 AM
wow this is very. I like the contrast of the loud percussion
part and the other quiet part. thanks for sharing!

- Hawks

[ Reply to This ]
cool exciting tune! &mdash 07/07/05 - 05:49:09 AM
Glad you liked it, Jemimah. This almost sounds like one of your White Hawks
tunes...

---
.

[ Reply to This ]
Another orignal... &mdash 07/06/05 - 07:14:17 AM
You are a great composer; wouldn't it be fantastic to see
this performed by a flesh and blood orchestra? I love
modern orchestral stuff, but to be honest, a lot of it is so
drab and cerebral, and this is so electrifying.

I love American optimism: it's something to be proud of a
country which was based - in theory at least - on ideals
rather than just political convenience and history like the
rest of us. This sums up that exuberance at the same time
as the frustration at things not being all they should.

I think you should print out the scores and enter a few
composing competitions...

[ Reply to This ]
I See &mdash 07/06/05 - 07:25:28 AM
a montage of 1950's metropolis traffic relieved by the
occasional traffic stop and short periods these allow to close
the eyes and picture the sites, sounds and smells of the
countryside.
Well done, Tom.

[ Reply to This ]
I See &mdash 07/06/05 - 09:30:15 AM
P.S. I love the percussion here!

---
Mungo

[ Reply to This ]
I See &mdash 07/06/05 - 09:36:32 AM
Thanks, Bill. All that's missing is a...

A) glockenspiel

B) kalimba

C) owbell


---
.

[ Reply to This ]
I See &mdash 07/08/05 - 05:00:39 AM
LOL

---
Mungo

[ Reply to This ]
oooh yeah! &mdash 07/06/05 - 11:24:25 AM
I bet you thought I would like this one! Engaging
soft and loud dynamics...check! Tribal drums and
interesting xylo-percussion...check! A dash of well-
used reverb...check. Just add water: I am an instant
fan!

[ Reply to This ]
oooh yeah! &mdash 07/07/05 - 07:24:34 AM
Thought you might like this, Eric. Thanks for the comments.

---
.

[ Reply to This ]
Playful piece... &mdash 07/06/05 - 12:25:25 PM
...with drama and spunk! Tom, you have captured the
essense of weekend. The breaks are very well thought out,
with a combination of subtle to jarring. I see this as a
prelude to a massive dance production. Full spectrum of
sound... but I wanted a HUGE ending!!!! Nonetheless...
BRAVO!

[ Reply to This ]
Playful piece... &mdash 07/07/05 - 11:05:07 AM
Thanks, Alimar. I am still finding my way around Jampack 4. I think I have to
keep things relatively simple at this point. Maybe I'll build to something big
down the road. Thanks!

---
.

[ Reply to This ]
lots nice stuff in there &mdash 07/07/05 - 10:54:03 AM
Nice Jam pack 4 instruments in there and you use them well.

Cool picture, love the use of strings in there especially.

Good going

[ Reply to This ]
This would work as a movie soundtrack &mdash 07/07/05 - 08:23:04 PM

Wow. This is like a fast paced chase in an acion movie with a
few brief scenes of hiding or taking cover. This would totaly
work as a movie soundtrack. Go to Hollywood, man!



[ Reply to This ]
This would work as a movie soundtrack &mdash 07/07/05 - 11:00:41 PM
I'm ready for my closeup, cbuchner1. Thanks for listening and for your
suggestion.

---
.

[ Reply to This ]
Great Tune &mdash 07/08/05 - 10:14:11 AM
I love the drums man. Great stuff.

[ Reply to This ]
Not what I expected at all. &mdash 07/08/05 - 02:16:19 PM
I was waiting for something sort of John Williams-Aaron Copland with maybe a little George M. Cohan...the kind of thing they play at fireworks displays.

I think THIS does a much better job of expressing the sometimes painful contradictions that are our country than the wholly digestable and non-confrontational music we get at those displays. But this SHOULD be played at fireworks! Beautifully written and "performed." It sounds like America to me.

[ Reply to This ]
wow :) &mdash 07/08/05 - 11:21:41 PM
hello! thank you very much for your kind comments on my
tracks :) i am very grateful!

by the way, this piece is amazing!!
i like the coexistence of wild and subtle materials and
especially, the harmony of strings.. they give me the
impression of reflections of a light in a surreal
environment :) this tune introduces me to a very special
emotional location!! great work!!

[ Reply to This ]
amazing piece!!! &mdash 07/08/05 - 11:29:56 PM
hello! first of all, i'd like to say i feel very grateful for the
kind comments in my profile :)

this track is amazing! i really like the coexistance of
wilderness and subtlety in a very rhythmic flow!

and especially, the brass harmony mesmerised me as it
gave me the impression of some kind of abstract
reflection of the other chords! it feels like entering a room
with bright tiles scattering and reflecting the lights!

your tune brought me to a very special emotional location
:) and it sure nourishes the energy for me to start a day!

[ Reply to This ]
powerful peice &mdash 07/10/05 - 11:23:16 PM
love how the percussion comes in and just takes over by the
end. Reminds me a lot of some of the 20th Century peices
we played in college. Very nice.

[ Reply to This ]
DCI &mdash 07/18/05 - 12:05:44 AM
Reminds me of Drum Corps minus the bugles! It's the
middle part where the percussion get the spotlight.

I enjoyed it very much. I must get JamPak 4 because of
you!

[ Reply to This ]
Copyright 2008 Simig Media, Inc.