Heartfelt

Description

Flute 1, Flute 2, Oboe, Flute 3, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb, Horn in F 1, Horn in F 2, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Euphonium, Bb Euphonium, Tuba, Mallet Percussion, Bells, Percussion 1, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Percussion 2, Triangle, Cabasa, Tambourine — "Music is what feelings sound like" is perhaps my favorite maxim about music. And I occasionally like to take a title—often a single word—and attempt to portray the purest expression of the feelings evoked by that word that I can.Heartfelt is probably my most successful attempt in this area. The quintuplet rhythms in this piece lend themselves surprisingly well to the emotional intent. Following the lead set by the trumpet soloist in the timing of these rhythms; the flutes and clarinets soon echo the sentiment. By the end of the piece, the entire wind ensemble has the opportunity to lock in the rhythm together (in rehearsals, m. 50 might be a good place to start this process).My recommendation is to just try to feel it, as opposed to attempting to "rush" four eighth notes or "drag" six sextuplet notes. And if there are some tears on some faces in the audience by the end of the piece, the ensemble has definitely done its job!Chris Campbell