Avenue of the Stars

Overture for Orchestra

by Hal Peterson

Instrumentation: 2 Flutes, Piccolo, 2 Oboes, 2 Bb Clarinets, 2 Bassoons; 4 Horns in F, 4 Bb Trumpets, 3 Trombones, Tuba; Timpani, Drum Set, Mallet Percussion (Glockenspiel and Vibraphone), Utility Percussion (Crash Cymbals, Tam-Tam, Bell Tree, and Tambourine); Strings, and Electric Bass.

Duration: 4 minutes, 30 seconds.

Suggested Concert Format: Pops Concert

Description: Avenue of the Stars is part of a series of pops orchestra pieces entitled "Street Pieces" because they evoke a particular ubran setting, mood, or activity. Avenue of the Stars suggests a Hollywood premiere, the glitter of the Las Vegas strip, or the glamour of Broadway. The tonality of the work is organized around an A major triad, continually circling enharmonically through the keys of E, D flat, and A. Dynamically, the work cycles between brilliant and flashy fortissimo passages and more lyrical, introspective themes.

History: Avenue of the Stars was originally completed by composer Hal Peterson in the spring of 1973. The work has been arranged and recorded in several versions, of which this is the latest. This version was prepared in the spring of 1985 for the summer pops series of the Colorado Springs Symphony and first performed by them that June and July.

About the composer.

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