SKU: A0.861929

The American Seasons (1st violins part – violin and string orchestra) MO148D

1st Violins Part (score and parts available)

Music by Mark O’Connor

38 pages - 38:00 minutes in length

The American Seasons
(Seasons Of An American Life)

The American Seasons (Seasons Of An American Life) is a concerto for Violin And Chamber Orchestra. Composed in 1999, the music celebrates the various stages of an American life at the waking of the 21st century. Constructed in four movements and representing four stages of life, birth, adolescence, maturity and old age, the music also pays homage to Shakespeare's Seasons Of Man His acts being seven ages, incorporated throughout the work.

Spring introduces the ideas of birth and infancy. After the principal theme has been stated, there is a violin cadenza encountering all twelve major keys and a 13/8 time signature representing the ancient golden ratio. These elements recall birth with all the possibilities a new life offers. Ending the movement, the principal theme is repeated with more complexity... as if posing life's questions.

Summer represents the excitement and bravado of youthful adolescence and young adulthood. For the style of this movement I use a happy-go-lucky Blues voice which melds into Swing. I identify swing rhythm in all of 20th century American music culture as a common thread that runs through Ragtime through Rock and Roll on to Rap. Swing means testing the waters and pushing the envelope for lovers and soldiers.

Fall is the slow movement symbolizing the wisdom of maturity. It is a peaceful theme with nostalgic strokes. It is a time for sincere reflection and enjoying ones accomplishments in life.

Winter embodies the complexities and knowledge of an older person and that of a dying person. The movement begins with the principal them from Spring, but with a dissonance that emanates from a lifetime full of emotions and responsibilities. In the middle of the movement is a transition to an old world. I use my personal ancestry from Ireland as a foundation from which to rediscover one's lineage and explore the meaning and value of a cultural legacy.

The exploration evolves into a four- and five-part fugue with a reel, jig, air, countered bass and the motif from the principal theme. All these elements, dances and melodies appear simultaneously and converge to form a unique insight to life's consequences from a historical perspective. Following the fugue, the principal theme finds its way back in. It sounds much as it did at birth. In the end, the solo violin cadenza carries the last earthly breaths before the violin and orchestra once again join in harmony to focus on a new life being transformed somewhere else. Life's four seasons in perpetuity.

Original music printed from the composer’s manuscripts.

Music editing, copying and engraving by Mark O’Connor

using Finale on Apple Macintosh 1999

Composed by Mark O’Connor

Commissioned by the Troy Savings Bank Concert Hall for their 2000 Celebration

Can be heard on American Seasons Sony Classical and The Essential Mark O’Connor Sony Classical

Mark O’Connor - violin, Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, Scott Yoo

Catalogue Number MO148D

Copyright © 1999 by Mark O’Connor Music International

For more information on violinist and composer Mark O'Connor, O’Connor String Camps, Touring Ensembles, Discography, Bio, Repertoire and more, please visit

www.markoconnor.com

For information on the O’Connor M.

SKU: A0.861931

The American Seasons (violas part – violin and string orchestra) MO148F

Violas Part (score and parts available)

Music by Mark O’Connor

42 pages - 38:00 minutes in length

The American Seasons
(Seasons Of An American Life)

The American Seasons (Seasons Of An American Life) is a concerto for Violin And Chamber Orchestra. Composed in 1999, the music celebrates the various stages of an American life at the waking of the 21st century. Constructed in four movements and representing four stages of life, birth, adolescence, maturity and old age, the music also pays homage to Shakespeare's Seasons Of Man His acts being seven ages, incorporated throughout the work.

Spring introduces the ideas of birth and infancy. After the principal theme has been stated, there is a violin cadenza encountering all twelve major keys and a 13/8 time signature representing the ancient golden ratio. These elements recall birth with all the possibilities a new life offers. Ending the movement, the principal theme is repeated with more complexity... as if posing life's questions.

Summer represents the excitement and bravado of youthful adolescence and young adulthood. For the style of this movement I use a happy-go-lucky Blues voice which melds into Swing. I identify swing rhythm in all of 20th century American music culture as a common thread that runs through Ragtime through Rock and Roll on to Rap. Swing means testing the waters and pushing the envelope for lovers and soldiers.

Fall is the slow movement symbolizing the wisdom of maturity. It is a peaceful theme with nostalgic strokes. It is a time for sincere reflection and enjoying ones accomplishments in life.

Winter embodies the complexities and knowledge of an older person and that of a dying person. The movement begins with the principal them from Spring, but with a dissonance that emanates from a lifetime full of emotions and responsibilities. In the middle of the movement is a transition to an old world. I use my personal ancestry from Ireland as a foundation from which to rediscover one's lineage and explore the meaning and value of a cultural legacy.

The exploration evolves into a four- and five-part fugue with a reel, jig, air, countered bass and the motif from the principal theme. All these elements, dances and melodies appear simultaneously and converge to form a unique insight to life's consequences from a historical perspective. Following the fugue, the principal theme finds its way back in. It sounds much as it did at birth. In the end, the solo violin cadenza carries the last earthly breaths before the violin and orchestra once again join in harmony to focus on a new life being transformed somewhere else. Life's four seasons in perpetuity.

Original music printed from the composer’s manuscripts.

Music editing, copying and engraving by Mark O’Connor

using Finale on Apple Macintosh 1999

Composed by Mark O’Connor

Commissioned by the Troy Savings Bank Concert Hall for their 2000 Celebration

Can be heard on American Seasons Sony Classical and The Essential Mark O’Connor Sony Classical

Mark O’Connor - violin, Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, Scott Yoo

Catalogue Number MO148F

Copyright © 1999 by Mark O’Connor Music International

For more information on violinist and composer Mark O'Connor, O’Connor String Camps, Touring Ensembles, Discography, Bio, Repertoire and more, please visit

www.markoconnor.com

For information on the O’Connor Method – instructional book series for violin, viola, cello and school string orchestra programs:

SKU: A0.861928

The American Seasons (guitar part – violin and string orchestra) MO148C

Guitar Part (score and parts available)

Music by Mark O’Connor

46 pages - 38:00 minutes in length

The American Seasons
(Seasons Of An American Life)

The American Seasons (Seasons Of An American Life) is a concerto for Violin And Chamber Orchestra. Composed in 1999, the music celebrates the various stages of an American life at the waking of the 21st century. Constructed in four movements and representing four stages of life, birth, adolescence, maturity and old age, the music also pays homage to Shakespeare's Seasons Of Man His acts being seven ages, incorporated throughout the work.

Spring introduces the ideas of birth and infancy. After the principal theme has been stated, there is a violin cadenza encountering all twelve major keys and a 13/8 time signature representing the ancient golden ratio. These elements recall birth with all the possibilities a new life offers. Ending the movement, the principal theme is repeated with more complexity... as if posing life's questions.

Summer represents the excitement and bravado of youthful adolescence and young adulthood. For the style of this movement I use a happy-go-lucky Blues voice which melds into Swing. I identify swing rhythm in all of 20th century American music culture as a common thread that runs through Ragtime through Rock and Roll on to Rap. Swing means testing the waters and pushing the envelope for lovers and soldiers.

Fall is the slow movement symbolizing the wisdom of maturity. It is a peaceful theme with nostalgic strokes. It is a time for sincere reflection and enjoying ones accomplishments in life.

Winter embodies the complexities and knowledge of an older person and that of a dying person. The movement begins with the principal them from Spring, but with a dissonance that emanates from a lifetime full of emotions and responsibilities. In the middle of the movement is a transition to an old world. I use my personal ancestry from Ireland as a foundation from which to rediscover one's lineage and explore the meaning and value of a cultural legacy.

The exploration evolves into a four- and five-part fugue with a reel, jig, air, countered bass and the motif from the principal theme. All these elements, dances and melodies appear simultaneously and converge to form a unique insight to life's consequences from a historical perspective. Following the fugue, the principal theme finds its way back in. It sounds much as it did at birth. In the end, the solo violin cadenza carries the last earthly breaths before the violin and orchestra once again join in harmony to focus on a new life being transformed somewhere else. Life's four seasons in perpetuity.

Original music printed from the composer’s manuscripts.

Music editing, copying and engraving by Mark O’Connor

using Finale on Apple Macintosh 1999

Composed by Mark O’Connor

Commissioned by the Troy Savings Bank Concert Hall for their 2000 Celebration

Can be heard on American Seasons Sony Classical and The Essential Mark O’Connor Sony Classical

Mark O’Connor - violin, Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, Scott Yoo

Catalogue Number MO148C

Copyright © 1999 by Mark O’Connor Music International

For more information on violinist and composer Mark O'Connor, O’Connor String Camps, Touring Ensembles, Discography, Bio, Repertoire and more, please visit

www.markoconnor.com

For information on the O’Connor Method – instructional.

SKU: A0.1458169

For string orchestra - Grade 2.
The dawning of a new day brings a spectacular scene of sunlight glow, brush strokes of pink and gold, and a cascade of rolling cloud, all painted across a blue sky canvas. 

This piece captures the breathless beauty of dawn, all at once static and evolving, unfolding slowly to reveal its majesty and promise, held in the palm of a brand new day.

SKU: AX.00-PC-0016928_VC1

UPC: 038081497020.

This gently wistful yet stirring piece was inspired by the demise of a once-grand willow grove as change overtook the region. Perfect to develop a rich, singing cantabile line with long, full bow strokes, and to practice dotted rhythms and 8th-note passages. (3:30)
Concert/Contest; Festival.