Hour of Wolves, The Kimberly Archer

Band
Number of Players:Standard
Copyright:2005
Flute 1/2
Oboe
Bassoon
Clarinet in Bb 1
Clarinet in Bb 2
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet in Bb 1/2
Horn in F
Trombone 1/2
Baritone B.C.
(Baritone T.C.)
Tuba

Timpani
Percussion 1(Chimes, Bells)
Percussion 2 (Marimba – 2 players)
Percussion 3 (Vibraphone – 2 players)
Percussion 4 (Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Tam-Tam, Crash Cymbals)
The Hour of Wolves is the third installment of an unofficial "Lord of the Rings" triptych. The title is based on a line of dialogue from the third film, when the king of the decimated Western army gives a speech at the enemy’s gates, hoping to rally his troops one last time: "There may come a time – an hour of wolves and shattered shields – when the Age of Men comes crashing down, but it will not be this day!" The image of an "hour of wolves" struck me as particularly vivid and dark, well-suited for a work that exploits the harmonic minor scale, deep timbres, and occasionally violent rhythmic gestures.