Henry Brant

Ice Field

Ice Field, which won the Pulitzer Prize for 2002, is the latest and in some ways the most approachable of Henry Brant's works for orchestra. Commissioned by ''Other Minds'' for the San Francisco Symphony and its conductor, Michael Tilson Thomas, it was first performed by them on December 12, 2001 in Davies Hall, the orchestra's home. The size of the orchestra is large and fairly conventional, but as with most of Brant's large-scale scores, the musicians are positioned throughout the performing space. Two conductors and a large pipe organ (played by the composer at the premiere) are required and the music is brilliantly varied, at times jazzy and ferocious, at times intensely expressive and lyrical. The mixture of styles and instruments is always inspired and incisive and the piece makes a huge effect in live performance. Complete performance materials for Ice Field are available from the Rental Department.