
Heart In The Highlands By Stephen Chin
'Heart in The Highlands', inspired by Robert Burns, evokes Scotland's rugged beauty with pizzicato, harmonics, dotted rhythms, and drones.
Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus and Alleluia from "Exultate Jubilate" are two of his most cherished liturgical compositions. All the difficult melismas have been adapted without losing the original excitement.
1. Ave Verum Corpus
2. Alleluia from Exultate Jubilate
For String Orchestra Grade 3
Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus and the Alleluia from "Exultate Jubilate" are two exceptional liturgical compositions that were originally written for choir or solo voice and orchestra. These pieces are a testament to Mozart's musical genius and continue to captivate audiences with their intricate melodies and harmonies. Despite the challenging melismas, the adaptations made to the pieces ensure that none of the original excitement is lost. It's no wonder that these two works are among Mozart's most cherished compositions.
1. Ave Verum Corpus
2. Alleluia from Exultate Jubilate
For String Orchestra Grade 3
'Heart in The Highlands', inspired by Robert Burns, evokes Scotland's rugged beauty with pizzicato, harmonics, dotted rhythms, and drones.
Ghost ships have been a mystery for centuries, dating back to ancient Greek mythology. The music piece starts with an eerie opening and transitions into an alluring theme, played by the first section, which is later repeated by other sections. The "Sailor's Dance" is an energetic and attractive tune featuring a group of soloists before a stirring conclusion.
1. Ghost Ship
2. Sailors Dance
For String Orchestra Grade 1.5
The Iching, a series of texts created by Emperor Zhou in the 9th century BC China, helps interpret thoughts and dreams. Its orchestral representation features an energetic section that paints a vibrant life in ancient China and concludes with thrilling cascades of repeated sixteenth notes.
Carl Bohm (1844 - 1920) was a renowned composer and teacher for violinists. His famous pieces, "Moto Perpetuo" and "Galop," showcase double semiquavers and highlight the cellos in the latter. The work is shared around for everyone to shine.
For String Orchestra Grade 2.5
This suite of three contrasting movements is perfect for young string players. It includes fun techniques like tremolo, pizzicato, harmonics, tapping, and even screaming. Bumps in the Dark is thrilling, Far Away Dreams is gentle and thoughtful, and Shooting Stars is exciting. The suite encourages active listening within the ensemble.
Listen to #1 – Bumps in the Dark
This original composition for string orchestra is filled with dynamic rhythms and fiery melodic motifs, which will bring an electrifying energy to any concert program!
This nautical-themed piece starts with violas and cellos evoking the swell of waves. The seconds create sea breeze sounds; the first violin plays the main theme energetically. Everyone gets a chance to participate, and the middle section featuring cellos is eerie. The suspenseful wait for the sea breezes to pick up again adds to the effect, and the piece ends with a fun and lively section.
For String Orchestra Grade 1.5
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