Raphael Benjamin Meyer
Umbra
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Raphael Benjamin Meyer
Umbra
- Instrumentation 4-12 Recorders
- Composer Raphael Benjamin Meyer
- Edition Sheet Music and Online Audio
- Publisher Basilisk Edition
- Order no. BASIL-RM44
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Description:
UMBRA was created to mark the solar eclipse of August 12, 2026, and was commissioned by Antje Susanne Kopp and Renate Sudhaus for the "Sommerwinde" orchestra workshop in Ratzeburg. Inspired by the interplay between light and shadow, the composition combines a minimalist four-part texture with an exceptionally flexible instrumentation. The piece can be performed both as a recorder quartet (SATB) and as a recorder orchestra of up to twelve parts (Sino/S1/S2/A1/A2/A3/T1/T2/T3/B/Gb/Sb). UMBRA is particularly impressive in its orchestral version: each of the four main parts can be supplemented by two additional "shadow parts." It is not necessary to cast all shadow parts, allowing the instrumentation to be flexibly adapted to the size and composition of the ensemble.
The shadow parts are derived from the material of the main parts and are technically somewhat simpler. This makes the composition ideally suited for student and amateur ensembles with varying levels of proficiency. The middle section of the piece features a guided improvisation lasting about two minutes, which captures the unique atmosphere of a total solar eclipse: As twilight sets in, the birds fall silent; an unusual stillness spreads, and only the wind sweeps through the treetops, causing a wind chime to ring out somewhere in the distance. Individual notes are played—similar to the chimes of a wind chime—in random order, creating an almost meditative mood.
The contrabass part is notated in treble clef in the part sheet. The included part sheets serve as templates for copying. This allows any recorder orchestra to produce the necessary parts themselves using the legally acquired template. Recordings of all individual parts, as well as a full recording for listening and practice, can be downloaded or streamed from the download section accompanying the booklet: Download practice materials
The shadow parts are derived from the material of the main parts and are technically somewhat simpler. This makes the composition ideally suited for student and amateur ensembles with varying levels of proficiency. The middle section of the piece features a guided improvisation lasting about two minutes, which captures the unique atmosphere of a total solar eclipse: As twilight sets in, the birds fall silent; an unusual stillness spreads, and only the wind sweeps through the treetops, causing a wind chime to ring out somewhere in the distance. Individual notes are played—similar to the chimes of a wind chime—in random order, creating an almost meditative mood.
The contrabass part is notated in treble clef in the part sheet. The included part sheets serve as templates for copying. This allows any recorder orchestra to produce the necessary parts themselves using the legally acquired template. Recordings of all individual parts, as well as a full recording for listening and practice, can be downloaded or streamed from the download section accompanying the booklet: Download practice materials