Flowers and Youth

Description

This arrangement of a traditional Chinese folk song opens with an ominous melody and is quickly taken over by exciting, high-energy moments that will capture your audience’s attention and keep them in suspense.

Program Notes

After a melancholy introduction by a solo Violin over tremolos in the rest of the ensemble the spirited setting of the folk song begins. The form of the arrangement is ABA. In the “A” section, the main theme of the traditional song is transformed through a series of variations that move the melody across the ensemble.

The “A” section ends with an abrupt pause that signals the beginning of the “B” section. The feel changes from duple to triple in this section with the low strings playing pizzicato. There is a flowing line in the upper strings that floats above the subtle rhythmic foundation of the pizzicato. The care-free, dance-like treatment of the “A” section returns to bring the music full circle.