Shadow of the Sphinx

Description

Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb 1, Trumpet in Bb 2, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Bb Euphonium, Tuba, Mallets, Bells, Percussion 1, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Percussion 2, Finger Cymbals, Crash Cymbals, Percussion 3, Tambourine, Percussion 4, Triangle, Gong — Thousands of years ago the mighty Egyptian kings and queens commanded their slaves to build grand tombs and monuments in their honor. In the blistering hot sun, with the sand blowing fiercely over the baked desert, workers quarried limestone and sandstone, placed it onto sleds, and slowly moved the huge stones into place. Many workers died during the process without ever seeing the finished fruits of their labor.For years, Egyptologists and archaeologists have thought the Great Sphinx of Giza to be about 4,500 years old, dating to around 2,500 B.C. However, some recent studies have suggested that the Sphinx was built as long ago as 7,000 B.C.This piece is a musical journey back in time, before excavators and other equipment made building easier; a time when people were exhausted by their toils but ultimately proud to have contributed to a final resting place of the gods.At the beginning of this piece, it's imperative for every instrumentalist to play every note at the exact time, as the melody is quite exposed. Try using a metronome at a slow tempo to focus on precise downbeats or watching closely for the conductor's cues to coordinate the attack of the notes.Also, at m. 9, the low brass and woodwind parts are supposed to mimic the steps of the camels crossing the desert. While the part is important, make sure it's nice and light, and allow for the upper woodwinds to shine with the melody.Finally, the finger cymbals, tambourine, and triangle parts add some really nice color to this piece. Make sure that students really bring those parts out. Shadow of the Sphinx transports listeners to ancient Egypt, where the relentless labor of workers who built monuments in the desert was marked by exhaustion and pride. The music evokes the vastness of the desert and the mysterious grandeur of the Great Sphinx. The piece uses light percussion to mimic the movement of camels and slow, deliberate melodies to reflect the weariness of the workers. Attention to precision and balance between the instruments will help recreate the mystical, ancient atmosphere.

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