Year of Composition

2010

Duration

20'

Instrumentation

Narrator
Solo B-flat Clarinet
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV

Categories

Band
Concertos

Text Writer

Myles Lee, MD

Program Note

Using Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s own words in a dramatic script written by Dr. Myles Lee, composer Victoria Bond is planning to write a work for narrator and large wind ensemble. Modeling the form of the piece after Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, Bond plans to evoke Roosevelt’s era by drawing from the American big band tradition popular during his presidency.

In Dr. Lee’s script, Roosevelt’s dynamic character, his triumph over the adversity of his handicap and his unforgettable words are brought to life. His speeches are quoted and put in the context of the turbulent history that gave rise to such as phrases as: "To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is asked. This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny." Infusing these powerful words and other speeches like them with inspiring music is the goal of The Indispensable Man.

— Victoria Bond

Audio/Video

Commercial Recordings

Soul of a Nation - Portraits of Presidential Character (Albany Records)