Return to the Moon
Fanfare to Artemis for Brass, Timpani and Percussion
"This powerful anthem heralds NASA's historic Artemis missions to the moon and beyond."
Rendering of Space Launch System Rocket (Credit: NASA)
TITLE
Return to the Moon: Fanfare to Artemis for Brass, Timpani and Percussion
DURATION
4¼ minutes
YEAR OF COMPOSITION
2021
INSTRUMENTATION
0.0.0.0 - 4.3.2.btbn.1 - timp.perc(3): SD/BD/cyms/tam-t
LICENSING
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
WORLD PREMIERE
Fall 2021
PURCHASE
J.W. Pepper
COMPOSER'S NOTE
Return to the Moon is a fanfare for brass ensemble of fifteen players, including timpani and percussion. This new anthem heralds NASA's historic Artemis missions, which will lead humanity back to the Moon by 2024 and prepare for the exploration of Mars.
It is dedicated to the NASA astronauts, scientists, engineers, administrators, support staff and international partners, who are enabling this new era of human exploration.
Artemis I launches in fall 2021 on the world's most powerful rocket - NASA's Space Launch System. It will be the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will provide the foundation for human deep space exploration.
The fanfare has two broad sections: Stately and solemn and Majestic and triumphant. The concluding cadence evokes the descent to the lunar surface before sweeping to a triumphant forte fortissimo climax.
Performance time is 4¼ minutes. If the ceremonial occasion dictates, a 2½-minute version can be performed by starting from the Majestic and triumphant section on Page 8 of the full score.
Ad lunam et ultra!
Rendering of Orion Spacecraft in Moon Orbit (Credit: NASA and Lockheed Martin)