Mirkwood - Wind Band

CHRISTOPHER PAINTER
MYRKVIÐR
(MIRKWOOD)
WIND BAND
ORIANA PUBLICATIONS LIMITED
CWMNI CYHOEDDI ORIANA

MYRKVIÐR (MIRKWOOD)
Myrkviðr (Mirkwood) is the Old Norse word for “dark wood” or “black forest” and occurs in several
folktales of Germany, Norway, Sweden and related forms of the name occur across Europe and may
be a general term for a dark and dense forest.
The name was anglicised by Sir Walter Scott (in Waverley) and William Morris (in The House of the
Wolfings) and later popularized by J. R. R. Tolkien as "Mirkwood".
Tolkien comments on Myrkviðr in a letter to his eldest grandson: “Mirkwood is not an invention of
mine, but a very ancient name, weighted with legendary associations. It was probably the Primitive
Germanic name for the great mountainous forest regions that anciently formed a barrier to the south
of the lands of Germanic expansion. In some traditions, it became used especially of the boundary
between Goths and Huns.”
In the Norse tradition 'crossing the Black Forest' came to signify penetrating the barriers between
one world and another, especially the world of the gods and the world of fire, where Surtr, the god
of fire, lives. The old Norse manuscripts describe Surtr as the first of the fire giants to emerge from
the flames of Muspelheim, the realm of fire, holding an immense fire sword.
Although the work is not intended to be overtly programmatic, the opening chords reveal the
awesome, dark majesty of the forest before settling into the almost complete absence of light and,
as the mists clear, they may encounter evil spirits, dwarves forging metal into weapons, the gathering
of elven armies, battles, the fair Melusine bathing and meeting her prince before her secret is
discovered and she wreaks her terrible vengeance, the games and tricks of sprites and goblins, the
arrival of Oberon and Titania (or, possibly, Gandalf) to restore order and even the occasional dragon,
breathing fire and spitting sparks before a bacchanal draws the work to its conclusion. It is for the
listeners and performers to conjure up whatever images they will as everyone’s perception of
Myrkviðr (Mirkwood) is different.
This work is dedicated to the memory of Walter White, long-time conductor of the Ystradgynlais
Silver Band. Walter was my first trumpet teacher (later my classroom teacher for both ‘O’ and ‘A’
levels) and introduced me to the world of brass bands. It was Walter who encouraged me to compose
and to apply to study with Alun Hoddinott at University College, Cardiff. I owe everything to this
mild and generous man.
This transcription for wind band was commissioned by Timothy & Hilary Reynish
Duration: 17 minutes
Percussion distribution:
1. Bass Drum; Marimba; Snare Drum; Tam-tam; Tubular Bells; Xylophone
2. Anvil; Bell tree; Glockenspiel; Gong; Snare Drum; Tam-tam; Tambourine; Tubular Bells
3. Bass Drum; Tam-tam; Temple blocks; Tenor drum; Tom-toms; Triangle; Vibraphone; Whip
* Duplicate instruments may be shared