Phantom's Escape

Description

Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Piano — Phantom’s Escape draws its title from a ski run at Mammoth mountain near Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Mountains. While skiing there, the name inspired me to create some original music with its roots in modern film scoring. The composition is in a traditional ABA form with contrasting sections. The music is both aggressive and passionate and provides some great teaching elements for the more mature string orchestra. At the beginning of the piece, the pulsing in the low voices sets the stage for the drama to come. I have always loved the pairing of eighth-note triplets and standard eighth notes in the same line. This is evident in the melodic element in the section starting at m. 7. Be sure not to rush the triplets here. A dramatic pulsing figure takes over at m. 21, then begins to deconstruct at m. 25.A mechanical-like rhythmic figure ensues at m. 31 to provide the accompaniment to the main melody in augmentation in the celli. The violas add some imitation to this at m. 39 that leads us to a more lyrical passage at m. 46. This lyricism continues to evolve at m. 51 with a multitude of inner counterpoint lines. The music pulls back at m. 59 to set up the big build-up into m. 73. The combination of eighth notes, eighth-note triplets and sixteenth notes creates some exciting textures leading into the passionate section at m. 73. The opening section returns at m. 86. This builds into the unison gesture at m. 120 to bring the music to a dramatic conclusion. This action packed piece has a definite cinematic quality to it, and a title to match! Popular composer Sean O'Loughlin brings a wealth of musical sophistication to this contest/festival choice.

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