Dream Engine

Description

Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Piano — One of the types of pieces I like to write for orchestra are pieces that use a contrast between staccato playing and more marcato melodic material.xa0 Dream Engine is the result. The piece is set in a concert overture form with two fast sections based on the same theme and a slow lyrical second section in the middle.The piece begins right off with a short introduction of the spiccato accompaniment figures before it leads to the first statement of the main theme. Quarter notes in the main theme should be played full bow in contrast to the lilting staccato eighth notes. The bass line should be long as well. After a full ensemble statement of the theme, the piece moves to a bridge theme that is sort of an inversion of the main theme and is taken up by the cello; then the viola is added on a harmony part to the melody. Transition material is presented next that is used throughout the piece to connect all of the sections of the piece together. The main theme returns once more before the piece transitions into the slow and lyrical B-section.xa0The B-section should be lush and as legato as possible to be in complete contrast to the A-section. This will be an excellent chance to work on the players’ expressive playing. Make sure to have a lot of rubato and generous rises and falls to the lines to make it as musical aspossible.At the completion of the B-section, the A-material returns with different orchestration for variety. This is followed by the transition material that leads to an aggressive coda that includes a brief quote from the B-section material. If you so chose, a slight increase in the tempo at the coda is acceptable to add to excitement of the ending.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 2017 Dream Engine has all of the compositional thumb prints that have made the music of Larry Clark so popular for string orchestras. It is a concert overture in classic ABA form. The opening section has a tuneful melody over spiccato accompaniments that weaves throughout the ensemble. The middle B section is slow, lyrical, lush, and beautiful as a contrast to the lighter A section. Another piece from Larry Clark to showcase your ensemble at contest/festival.

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