Originally commissioned by the Scotia Festival of Music for percussionists Evelyn Glennie and Beverley Johnston, with partial support from the Canada Council of the Arts, Tongues of Fire was arranged as a concerto for percussion and symphonic wind ensemble by composer Kevin Lau in 2009.
In May 2008, after attending a performance of the orchestral version of Tongues of Fire, Glenn Price (President of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles [WASBE]) recognized the potential for this work to be transcribed for percussion and symphonic wind ensemble. Subsequently, Price proceeded to enlist a consortium of prominent wind ensembles from around the world to act as co-commissioners for the new version.
Notes from the publisher.
COMMISSIONED BY
Commissioned by Glenn Price (WASBE) and
Acadia University (Canada)
Bankok Silpakorn Wind Orchestra (Thailand)
Cim L'Armonica (Spain)
Eastman School of Music (USA)
Kwantlen University College (Canada)
Royal Northern College of Music (Great Britain)
University of Alberta (Canada)
University of Calgary (Canada)
University of Lethbridge (Canada)
University of New Mexico (USA)
University of Toronto (Canada)
INAUGURAL PERFORMANCE
Premiered by University of Calgary Wind Ensemble, conducted by Glenn Price on Tuesday February 2, 2010.
LISTEN
RESOURCES
Composer's website: https://christoshatzis.com/music/137
Arranger's website: http://kevinlaumusic.com/piano/tongues_of_fire.php
Publisher: Promethean Editions