Goddess of Fire - Steven Reineke

A magnificent programmatic work for symphonic band that is an offering to Pele, the Goddess of Hawaii’s volcanoes. The work opens with primordial, mysterious sounds representing the foreboding volcanoes of Hawaii. We are then introduced to Pele as a tall, beautiful young woman. This is one of the forms she can take and it represents her powers of creation and beauty. This gives way to the active and destructive Pele, often taking the form of an old woman, wrinkled and bent with age. The following lyrical section of the piece is the full statement of Pele’s theme of creation and beauty. As this theme settles, we begin to hear the ground pop and crack letting us know that new lava is beginning to bubble and flow. Suddenly and violently, one of her volcanoes erupts, creating massive chaos and destruction. After the eruption subsides, Pele’s theme of creation and beauty returns again. A wonderful addition to any concert or festival performance by mature bands. Exceptional in every respect!
Performed by the Washington Winds under the direction of Edward S. Petersen.
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[@Adamsdaboy]

At the top of the song it says Dedicated to a school. It was my HS, I got to be in the audience when for the very first performance of this song watching Steven conduct a group of HS students, who'd only had the music 2 weeks. staying late every night to practice it. The standing ovation was well earned and is still one of the most memerable moments I had as a music student almost 20 years later

[@WiiUFan-jj3is]

5:16 This glissando is absolutely perfect. My favorite part of the entire piece and probably of any composition. I don't know how Steven Reineke keeps making insanely good music every time.

[@sylverfish6916]

I sightread this piece for practice and its so just *chefs kiss*

[@thenarwhal8260]

I love all the key clicking effects

[@Tigerclone08]

The alto harmonies at 116 are so good (playing this currently. Im alto 2😢)

[@explosiveejaculate6484]

So much fun percussion going on

[@toxic_games2134]

Played this in highschool, i was the only bari sax. It was the coolest song ive ever played

[@levilamontagne9837]

This song is actually insane

[@TimeToTossTheDiceOfTime]

You know what else is insane? I HAVE TO PLAY THIS AND IM IN MIDDLESCHOOL. I got put with the highschoolers 😭

[@asanarr9931]

@@TimeToTossTheDiceOfTime Rest In Peace your poor soul. On the bright side, the tune is actually pretty simple if you disregard the 10/8 and the weird flute, clarinet stuff they do, so at least there’s that

[@TimeToTossTheDiceOfTime]

@@asanarr9931 It's not a big deal, haha. I have precession and cello for this song, and I'm acctually trying to learn the flute part. Already have the tenor and base clarinet parts down just in case we need a backup for one of the solos.

[@xinyu5198]

@@TimeToTossTheDiceOfTime same brother...I got put with my seniors just because I had eXpEriEnCe in elementary.

[@explosiveejaculate6484]

Its a super fun song song to perform though! Timpani gang 😂

[@stevenbakenhester]

I played this in Highschool. I always loved his music

[@mrmcducky4260]

Trombone goes so hard in this song, I’m so glad I got to play it lol

[@coyotix]

doing this song in concert band at my hs!! playing toms and vibes 😌

[@niziu_live]

金賞取った思い出の曲やー!楽しかったな

[@Sharkacy]

The horn part tho 🔥💯

[@HTNe2]

I've got gold award on junior high wind essemble competition at Goddess of fire!

[@emilymcmanus6894]

sounds very similar to The Witch and the Saint

[@marksweeting8375]

I conducted "The Witch and The Saints" last year with my orchestra in France, in Dinan. The themes and the combination of instruments were very well found. On the other hand, I'm a little disappointed by "Goddess of Fire" despite the beautiful mysterious introductory part and the fresh resolution on percussion with Glock, Marimba and Vibra. At 6'54 the choatic dissonances which recall a little the cluster writing of Varès is also interesting. But the rhythmic theme lacks development and we systematically find the classic scheme throughout the score: Relaxation, tension, relaxation, tension... There is little length, the composer repeats himself (with all my respect for this job of writing and orchestration!)

[@jackthecommenter2768]

@@marksweeting8375what are the best band pieces to you? Just curious

[@wowyummyyy]

L I K E 👍👍👍👍 👍💎💎💎💎💎💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@user-ll9kv8cu6q]

Me crying bc we had the chance to play this song like 5 times but never did😢

[@ballongplast3316]

From 4:03 To 6:05 is so beautiful!

[@pulsargame4276]

Agreed👍

[@Sus-mq1fs]

sounds like a bossfight

[@JosephSalvesen-jy7nb]

I played this in high school. I was 1 of 2 tubas but the other wasn’t good so I pretty much was the only tuba 😂

[@FfjfFffjfjf]

Percussion carry this song.

[@emilymcmanus6894]

sounds very similar to The Witch and the Saint

[@liamvega7286]

well then again, its in the same time, and made by the same person

[@nameisanonymous]

I think it's just the fast-paced 10/8 phrases that tend to sound similar. At least the beginning sections of both Goddess of Fire and The Witch and the Saint are very distinct and strongly evoke their titles.