Jubilee Piece for Sisters of St. Mary's of Oregon

March 15, 2012 at 2:19 PM

Here's a string quintet piece I wrote for the Sisters of St. Mary's 125th Anniversary Jubilee celebration.

The Main Theme ("A") is modeled after Britten's "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra." The first chord is E Major although the key is E Minor (I wanted to start happy, for a celebration)! The theme mimics Bach from mm. 1-8, using big, dark, chords in four voices with a supporting cello line underneath.

The second phrase of the A section begins at mm. 9 and is a rock version on the theme. Had to throw that in there.

The "B" section begins at mm. 17 after a two measure transition, and is both more lyrical and reflective than the main theme, in A Major. A triplet motif in conjunct motion in the upper voices, and longer chords in the lower voices emerge, with light counterpoint in the violins and viola. The "A" section hints back at mm. 28 in a transition to the rock A section second phrase at mm. 32. A new "angry" and moving cello part supports the descending transitional motif in the upper voices. The lyrical "C" section appears at mm. 38 in another major key: Bb Major. The sound is simple, lyrical, and meditative, with a return of the triplet motif. The section grows and expands in light counterpoint and harmonization starting at mm. 53.

The recap begins at mm. 61 but in C Minor. The melody is less moving to suggest the end of piece. The three measure coda at mm. 71-73 is simple but strong: the cello takes the lead in two solo whole notes, and a big C Minor swell by all voices ends the piece.

This piece is dark on the onset, yet simple and sweet in the verses.

For parts and performance permissions, please write to me direct.

Here is a link to the complete score

Here's a link the the performance with audio