THE CONQUEST OF SPACE op.381 (February 1988) Listen to this Work

Commissioned by: Astra - to celebrate the launching of the European satellite
Instrumentation: 3(III=Picc).3(III=CA),3(III=bcl,cbcl),2,cbn. 6,3,(plus 3off-stage trpts optional),3,1. Timp 1 player(4), 4pc (t-t,tri,cym,sus.cym,bd,glock,metal block,vib,xyl,sd,claves). hp pno/celeste,ondes martenot and orchestra (str. incl. solo violin), SATB cohorus(optional), organ(optional).

[Key to Abbreviations]
Note on Lyrics: Lyrics for the (optional) chorus by Howard Blake
Duration: 14:22
First Performance:

Recording made 23 July 1988 at Abbey Road with The Sinfonia of London conducted by the composer, engineer Mike Ross

First concert performance at Kenwood Lakeside on August 1 1992 The Wren Orchestra conducted by Stanley Black.

The Sinfonia of London conducted by Howard Blake, Abbey Road Studios 23.7.1988

First released on CBS/Sony 1988 

To be re-released April 2006. Highbridge Music CD 6002 (under license from SME Subsidiary BV) as item on CD titled 'Granpa'

Notes

Composer's note: The work came about through my recording contract with Sony. Executive Ian Groves suggested to Astra Communications that I could write a huge orchestral piece to accompany the actual launch of the rocket from Nassau to be watched worldwide by satellite links. Directors of Astra came over from Luxembourg to see me in my studio in 1987 and a work for large orchestra lasting about 15 minutes was agreed upon. On the night of the projected launching a lavish dinner took place at The Queen Elizabeth Suite in Westminster with many invited guests, including myself, interviewed on TV by Angela Rippon. Unfortunately a cloud appeared over the launching pad and although many of us stayed into the small hours it eventually became obvious that it would not happen that night. The piece, described by orchestrator Larry Ashmore as 'the biggest commercial ever written' was never played. However some four years later it did prove able to stand up as a concert work and was given its first performance in Kenwood with synchronised fireworks!

Performances

1st August 1992

The Wren Orchestra conducted by Stanley Black, Kenwood Lakeside, English Heritage Concert

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