Voyage of the Dragon Armada (The Maritime Expeditions of Zheng He) by Timothy Loest
Grade 0.5
Publisher: FJH Music Company
This gripping work depicts the epic voyages of China’s great naval Admiral Zheng He who commanded 250 ships and 28,000 men a century before Columbus set sail for the New World. Experience a captivating pentatonic melody immersed in vivid orchestration and colorful percussion writing. An exceptional choice for your next concert and a perfect launch pad to multicultural discovery.
Feature every section of your orchestra in this swashbuckling piece! Three distinct "pirate" themes are given to the violins, violas, and cellos/basses to allow all players a chance to shine. All seafaring melodies stay in first position with minimal low-two finger patterns and lots of doubling for a big, full sound. Each section takes an adventurous turn into new tonalities before joining forces at the end for a triumphant finale! (Grade 1.5, Dur 2:40)
Written for the true beginner, this piece takes the listener on an eerie tour that can best be described as an unsettling experience with a touch of curiosity and anxiousness. 3-part fully adaptable with piano or guitar accompaniment. (Grade 0.5, Dur 2:00)
