Magma

Description

Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Piano — Magma is a bold and aggressive composition for the youngest of students. It uses notes in the key of E minor. I kept the key signature in D for simplicity’s sake, although no C≥s are used in the piece, and notated only whole-, half- and quarter-note rhythms.The piece opens in unison with a fanfare type gesture that fans out into full harmony and contains interjections by the percussion section. The main theme of the piece is then stated first in the upper strings with punctuated rhythms in the lower voices. The melody is taken up an octave while the lower voices lengthen the harmonic pad. This is followed by a lyrical B theme presented by the cello leading into another statement of the main theme with a counter melody in the first violins. A short development sectionpresents an interplay between the upper and lower voices and then leads back to the final statement of the main theme. A short coda then follows that is marked by a return of the unison fanfare-type material from the opening of the piece.It has been my pleasure to have the opportunity to write this piece. I hope you and your students enjoy it and find it useful for your program.—Larry ClarkLakeland, FL 2007 A bold and invigorating example of Larry Clark’s aggressive style, Magma uses only whole, half and quarter notes. It has a determined air about it that gives the music a sense of importance and an appearance of greater difficulty than it actually has. Music with this strong a sense of purpose is welcome at this early grade level.