Sea Change: String Ensemble: Score

Above the ringing bells (performed by the lower strings) is a beautiful contrasting melody scored in the violins. The middle section provides a nice harmonic contrast as well as a style and mood change. Exactly what you’ve come to expect when looking at the superb arrangements of Robert D. McCashin.

String Quartet Version - Parts)-The composer writes: 'The backdrop for this commission was to complement music by the great Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven’s scores for string quartet are cornucopias of techniques and musicality. They were certainly not meant for pure entertainment. Ending up with Beethoven’s quartet Op. 59 No. 1 as a reference for this piece I even used elements from this quartet in my own composition. Beethoven’s position as a free artist has been of great importance to all following composers. This is of equal inspiration as his music. As a free artist one has to reflect upon our own time and not be afraid of allowing reality affect our work. When I was in the middle of writingthis piece something horrible happened in my neighbourhood. A bomb exploded in Oslo and a killer shot teenagers on an island summer camp. My nation’s reputation as a peaceful country to live in was drastically and forever changed. It was hard to compose. Papers and online media were soon filled with horrible pictures from the events. The lead-coloured skies being a recurring sight. The ambiguity in the title reflects both hope and dread. Beethoven’s light shines through strong and full of life! The piece was commissioned by the Engegård Quartet in 2011 and appears the recording String Quartets vol IV: Schubert-Ratkje-Britten-Haydn. A later piece was composed for string orchestra: 'Tale of Lead and Frozen Light' (2014)'. The composer writes: 'The backdrop for this commission was to complement music by the great Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven’s scores for string quartet are cornucopias of techniques and musicality. They were certainly not meant for pure entertainment. Ending up with Beethoven’s quartet Op. 59 No. 1 as a reference for this piece I even used elements from this quartet in my own composition. Beethoven’s position as a free artist has been of great importance to all following composers. This is of equal inspiration as his music. As a free artist one has to reflect upon our own time and not be afraid of allowing reality affect our work. When I was in the middle of writingthis piece something horrible happened in my neighbourhood. A bomb exploded in Oslo and a killer shot teenagers on an island summer camp. My nation’s reputation as a peaceful country to live in was drastically and forever changed. It was hard to compose. Papers and online media were soon filled with horrible pictures from the events. The lead-coloured skies being a recurring sight. The ambiguity in the title reflects both hope and dread. Beethoven’s light shines through strong and full of life! The piece was commissioned by the Engegård Quartet in 2011 and appears the recording String Quartets vol IV: Schubert-Ratkje-Britten-Haydn. A later piece was composed for string orchestra: 'Tale of Lead and Frozen Light' (2014)'.

A driving rhythmic melody is supported by unilateral 'hits' in the lower voices to generate a great deal of intensity in this overture for strings. As the 'momentum' begins to slow your first violin has a brief opportunity to show off some beautiful lyrical playing over pizzicato strings. The haunting melody moves toward a glorious key change before regaining momentum into the opening material. Very accessible and a great addition to your next concert!

The unsung heroes of the orchestra move into the spotlight with this showcase that also teaches the rest of the ensemble the experience of playing important background and accompaniment parts. This short tuneful movement is justwhat you need to motivate your viola section and bring a welcome change of pace to your next concert.

In the 1940s and 50s 'four on the floor' referred to a high performance car with a four-speed gearbox and a gear-change mounted on the floor. And that is the characteristic of this piece - fast loud wild attention-grabbing and huge fun!

This novel work opens up with pizzicato in all instruments. The ?high tension? atmosphere gives way to an easy-going tune with a syncopated melody to help lighten things up. This one is sure to stick with your audience long after the piece is over. Optional temple blocks and ratchet add to the fun. A great change of pace for your next program! (1:20)

Charles E. Carryl's A Capital Ship carefully arranged by Carrie Lane Gruselle for String Ensemble. The homophonic texture and straightforward rhythms and harmonies let students focus on style and musicianship. Students will also develop various articulations (staccato accent pizzicato) and watching skills (fermata ritardando tempo changes and a caesura). Excellent writing by an excellent teacher!

This intense work is inspired by a photograph of Zhou Long's wife Chen Yi face to face with a hawk that had landed near their house. The music is filled with eerie slides and dynamic changes with a fierce pizzicato section that leads to the work's climax.