Storm the Gates

Description

Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Piano — From the opening bars, Storm The Gates, written in E minor, pulses with excitement and anticipation. The driving marcato phrases in the introduction, played by the upper strings and combined with the accented roots in the low strings propel the ensemble to the A-melody in m. 9. From there the piece follows an AABB form with the intensity continuing as the high strings state the A-melody in mm. 9-25. The tone shifts in m. 26, featuring a soaring legato violin melody. The rest of the ensemble accompanies smoothly and gracefully, occasionally reiterating the pulsing staccato ideas (i.e. mm. 28-29 and mm. 32-33).In mm. 42-49, the low strings take over the A-melody and begin a two-measure call and response with the high strings. A two-measure legato-build in mm. 50-51 leads into a variation of the driving A-theme with the full ensemble in mm. 52-59. This builds to more precise, staccato phrases in the high strings, supported by punctuated downbeats in the low strings in mm. 60-63.Dropping to a mf dynamic briefly in m. 64, the piece crescendos and the energy intensifies and builds to the end with the group playing crisp, staccato phrases. The energetic eighth and two sixteenth patterns in m. 69 in the upper strings prepare the ensemble for the final robust marcato statement in m. 70. From the opening bars, Storm The Gates pulses with excitement and anticipation. Written in E minor, the driving marcato phrases are introduced by the upper string over accented rhythms in the cello and bass sections. Exciting and angular rhythms propel the piece forward with contrasting lyrical lines. A welcome addition to the repertoire for developing string players.

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