HYMN OF THE SEA
is the fifth movement from Frigyes Hida's composition SAVE THE SEA, which the Hungarian composer wrote in 1997 for the International Conference to Save the Oceans in Portugal.
The final movement of the original composition, which requires symphonic wind orchestra instrumentation and can only be performed by advanced ensembles in the overall context, expresses the immensity and majesty of the sea.
Who could make this music accessible to many wind bands or youth bands in a Grade 3 instrumentation without sacrificing musical intensity? I was aware that Frigyes Hidas was introduced to American composer Stephen Melillo during studio recordings. Melillo, himself a world-renowned composer and master of grandiose orchestration, was quick to create a new edition for our catalog.
Here now is HYMN OF THE SEA in medium difficulty and compact but complete wind orchestra instrumentation. A welcome addition to your concert, a quiet pole in your church program, a tribute to the composer Frigyes Hidas and a convincing proof of Stephen Melillo's instrumentation craft.
(2022, mh)
