Description
Composer Matt Arnett is known for vivid fantasy storytelling in his music. In this piece, treasure-seeking adventurers clash with a fearsome dragon! Who will emerge victorious? Students can draw their own conclusions as they play this fun and educational work.
Program Notes
As the heroes fill their bags with treasure from the underground chamber, the room begins to shake; suddenly, a dragon bursts through the large doors at the end of the room! “Shadow and Flame” opens with this clash between talon and steel. Making a hasty retreat with their loot, the heroes manage to lose their pursuer in M.27, but they’ve barely caught their breath before the dragon attacks again in M.37. Not everyone escapes this time. By M.48, the remaining adventurers quietly sneak toward the daylight they see shining up ahead, hoping that the dragon is satisfied. Luck does not favor them today, and in M.55, the dragon makes a final assault. In the final measures, the lone survivor stands over its defeated foe-who do you think it was?
“Shadow and Flame” will challenge your young players with its speed and range. First Violins get to explore a few notes on the E string, Violas and Cellos spend quite a bit of time on the G string, and Basses get to rock a single open E! A limited number of second-finger notes are also used in Cello and Bass. Energetic and programmatic, this piece offers a satisfying and challenging musical adventure.
