 | | | Life Dances | |
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Here's a superb grade 4 concert band title for your band's concert or contest. "Life Dances" is from the pen of William Himes, and will undoubtedly be one of those rare pieces you'll want to perform every couple of years. "Life Dances" is a modern classic, and we're hoping to see a lot more music from this composer.
Technical Notes: This band work was commissioned by the New York High School Symphonic Band of Elmhurst, Illinois, conducted by Ronald H. Polancich, and premiered at the Illinios Music Educators Association All-State Conference, January 28, 2000.
"Life Dances" is an overture presented in three parts without pause, with each section portraying a positive aspect of living. The "Joy of Life" is depicted in the lively and energetic opening, followed by a solemn and expressive middle section introduced by the trumpet soloist as homage to the "Creation of Life". The exciting finale, with its bravado mood and strong rhythmic motifs, symbolizes the "Adventure of Life" and is intended as an exhortation to avoid the cynicism seemingly present in any age and as a celebration of life by making the most of it with the time we have.
Notes to the conductor: This piece is presented in three distinct, yet continuous sections. Care must be taken to make emphasis on an accented, "marcato" style. Percussion has the important role of precisely "filling in the cracks" between fanfare motifs in a solositic manner. In spite of numerous meter changes, as the music becomes familiar, a natural sense of pulse will be apparent. At measures 52-68, avoid the tendency to be "ff" throughout, making a solid distinction between "f" and "ff". Also, notice that sudden drops to "p" appearing in measures 61 and 67.
A well-crafted transition at measures 95-99 will involve gradual slowing and softening, with all instruments aiming for a dark, solemn tone color - especially the trumpet solo. While not technically demanding, this section will call for considerable warmth, expression, and emotion. The trumpet soloist will need to pace this extended solo carefully, not giving too much too soon.
The "Allegro vivo" tempo for the final section should begin with the temple block entry at the pickup to measure 139. Although quite rhythmic, the initial approach should be light and breathy. Be careful to balance these rhythmic tone clusters in the woodwinds, and later in the F horns and low brass at measure 147. Contrast quickly comes at measure 157 with a bold, aggressive style, which is then offset by a melodic "Latin" motif at measure 165. (Percussion will be especially helpful with the idiomatic contrast.) These ideas continue to play off of each other until measure 189, where this "adventure motif" is presented as a register transfer; the melody is continuously bounced from one octave to another throughout the full range of the band. Each melodic fragment must enter with the same style, tempo, and balance.
The conclusion approaches with the brass/saxophone pickup to measure 201, where the hymn-like theme of the middle section is presented in augmentation against an upper woodwind/mallet ostinato based on the same melodic motif. Balance will be enhanced if these two musical elements stick to their respective "sostenuto" and "staccato" styles. At the coda (measure 226), there should be a sudden tempo change; broad, accented attacks, are followed by a brilliant "Presto" from measure 229 to the end. In spite of all the fireworks here, strive to make the last note convincing - and conclusive!
Estimated Performance Time: 7:43
Composed By: "Life Dances" was composed by William Himes.
Published By: "Life Dances" was published by Curnow Music Press.
Series: This piece is part of the series "Curnow Prestige Series".
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| Instrumentation | | 1 | - | Full Score | | 1 | - | Piccolo in C | | 4 | - | 1st Flute | | 4 | - | 2nd Flute | | 1 | - | 1st Oboe | | 1 | - | 2nd Oboe | | 1 | - | English Horn | | 1 | - | 1st Bassoon | | 1 | - | 2nd Bassoon | | 4 | - | 1st B Flat Clarinet | | 4 | - | 2nd B Flat Clarinet | | 4 | - | 3rd B Flat Clarinet | | 1 | - | E Flat Alto Clarinet | | 2 | - | B Flat Bass Clarinet | | 2 | - | 1st E Flat Alto Saxophone | | 2 | - | 2nd E Flat Alto Saxophone | | 2 | - | B Flat Tenor Saxophone | | 1 | - | E Flat Baritone Saxophone | | 2 | - | 1st B Flat Trumpet | | 2 | - | 2nd B Flat Trumpet | | 2 | - | 3rd B Flat Trumpet | | 2 | - | 1st & 3rd Horn In F | | 2 | - | 2nd & 4th Horn In F | | 2 | - | 1st Trombone | | 2 | - | 2nd Trombone | | 2 | - | 3rd Trombone | | 2 | - | Euphonium T.C. | | 2 | - | Euphonium B.C. | | 4 | - | Tuba | | 1 | - | String Bass | | 1 | - | Keyboard Percussion | | 2 | - | 1st Percussion | | 2 | - | 2nd Percussion | | 1 | - | Timpani |
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| | Other Pictures | | Front Cover | | Conductor Score | | Instrumentation | | Descriptive Page |
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 Difficulty 4 on a scale of 1 to 6 with 6 being the hardest.
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