Augusta Read Thomas (1964)

Words of the Sea (1995 -1996)

for orchestra

  • General information
    • Composition date: 1995 - 1996
    • Duration: 18 mn
    • Publisher: Schirmer
    • Commission: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
    • Dedication: Pierre Boulez ; Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Detailed formation
  • 3 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, English horn, 3 clarinets (also contrabass clarinet), 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 2 trumpets [en do] , piccolo trumpet [en la] (also trumpet [en do] ), 2 trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, 4 percussions, harp, piano, strings

Premiere information

  • Date: 12 December 1996

    Performers: Chicago Symphony Orchestra ; Pierre Boulez, direction.

Table of contents

I. …words of the sea…
II. …the ever-hooded, tragic-gestured sea…
III. …beyond the genius of the sea…
IV. …mountainous atmospheres of sky and sea… (Homage to Debussy)