The Swans of Lir is an Irish legend about young children turned into swans by dark forces. The melody and accompaniments in "The Lake" reflect their helplessness, while "The Rejoicing" celebrates their eventual transformation back into children. The piece is scored for strings, recorders and percussion and is perfect for large concerts or festivals.
The Swans of Lir is a timeless and captivating Irish legend that tells the story of a group of young children who were transformed into swans by a wicked stepmother's curse and condemned to spend 900 years floating in a lake near their father's castle. The story is filled with tragedy, loss, and redemption themes and remains one of the most famous legends in Irish mythology.
The piece's first section, "The Lake", is a soulful and melancholic melody that perfectly captures the sense of sadness and hopelessness that the children feel as they are forced to live out their lives as swans. The lush accompaniments in this section add to the haunting effect of the piece and create a sense of depth and richness that is truly captivating.
In the second part of the piece, "The Rejoicing", the curse is finally broken, and the swans are transformed back into their human form. The music in this section is more upbeat and energetic, reflecting the joy and excitement of the moment. The piece is scored for strings, recorders, and percussion and features a series of memorable melodies that are shared around the ensemble.
Overall, The Swans of Lir is a perfect massed performance for a large concert or festival and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser with its haunting melodies and captivating story.
The legend of Excalibur is an exciting tale that captivates young minds. King Arthur's sword, Excalibur, emerges from the waters, followed by a sword dance. The mysterious theme reappears before a thrilling finale. Written for advanced and elementary players, it's a fantastic piece for a string festival or an advanced orchestra.
For String Orchestra Grade 3 & 1.5 (advanced and optional elementary strings)
Haydn's second symphony in a minor key is a classic Sturm und Drang piece with strong emotional changes. It's great for expanding classical repertoire and practising playing techniques in G minor.
ES 133
Scotland offers diverse experiences. Skye Island has willow trees amidst breathtaking landscapes. Fiddlin' in Aberdeen is inspired by vibrant fiddle festivals. The piece features left-hand pizzicato, harmonics, and string crossings.
1. Willows of Skye
2. Fiddlin' in Aberdeen
For String Orchestra Grade 1
On a stormy night, a carriage leaves for an unknown destination. Chased by someone, urgency intensifies with repeated quavers. Different string ensemble sections are highlighted—a warm middle section followed by an even greater sense of urgency. The journey ends quietly, igniting players' imaginations.
For String Orchestra Grade 1.5
Join the Barcelona party! This piece captures the fun and energy of the Spanish city with catchy rhythms and authentic flavour. Your ensemble will love it.
Enjoy your food, move your body to the beat, and have fun! This amazing set of seven compositions even features a piece by Henry VIII. Intermediate musicians will appreciate the diverse range of musical styles from different regions of the Renaissance era. The homophonic writing style is ideal for developing precise intonation and consistent bowing techniques.
For String Orchestra Level 2
These quirky pieces are trinkets that can spark young musicians' imaginations. They cover many techniques, such as pizzicato, staccato, harmonics, and rapid eighth notes, which can help beginning orchestras build their skills in a fun way. The memorable tunes often shared around the orchestra will indeed have your students begging for more!
1. Busy Bikes
2. Sanpan in the Clouds
3. Elephants and Fleas
4. It's Raining Diamonds
5. Very Dark Elves
6. Tibetan Trinkets
7. King Bruce's Spider
8. Nullarbor
9. Dragon Crusher
10. Magical Mandolines
11. Fuji
12. Ice Train
For String Orchestra Grade 1
