Amelia, Flight Eternal

Record breaking aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart flew into history as one of the great mysteries of early daring flight. During a 1937 circumnavigation effort her plane silently vanished into the vast Western Pacific, without a trace. Aside from that tragic loss, she must be remembered as fearless promoter of women's equality in global adventure. Amelia's theme with woodwinds playing warmly is joined by brass, building to a fanfare in anticipation of the start of her journey. Following the route of Charles Lindbergh, her solo flight to Paris (landing in a pasture at Culmore, Derry, Northern Ireland) is portrayed in folk melodies. The slow melody reappears, Amelia's theme is carried by solo flute depicting her dilemma in pursuing the global flight with a success rate of 50%. The Allegro shows her determination for departure. On July 2, from Lae (New Guinea) to Howland Island, with her last known transmission, "We are on the line 157 337. We will repeat this message. We will repeat this on 6210 kilocycles. Wait", Amelia disappeared. The song slows with Amelia's theme, imagining her thoughts and views, with sorrowful melodies. Public fascination over her fate still continues after 80 years. The work concludes with the feeling that Amelia may still be soaring in the sky.

(Masanori Taruya)

This piece can be performed by as little as under 35 people.

Concert & Festival,Wind Ensemble Limited (under 35) series,Z-YDOT-G06S,Z-YDOT-G06A,BRZYDOTG06S,BRZYDOTG06A