Meditation and Ritual

SKU: CF.YAS68

ISBN 9780825869464. UPC: 798408069469. 8.5 X 11 inches. Key: A minor.

This original composition from Bill Calhoun has a dark and rich texture in the tradition of medieval music. Meditation and Ritual has a seriousness to it that students will gravitate toward, and is an excellent choice for contest or festival performance.
Meditation and Ritual is composed in the key of A minor and represents two contrasting styles. The first (“Meditation”) is a thought-provoking chorale. Each voice gains prominence through its lyrical quarter-note movement. The use of suspensions to create tension and release are prevalent throughout, which along with its dynamic shading help to create interest within thistender section. “Meditation” reaches its climax at m. 16 before ending with the warmth and emotion in which it began.After a very brief pause “Ritual” begins. Its medieval-sounding theme is characterized by the contrast between short and long (or slurred) articulations and is important to bring to your students’ attention in performance. The dance-like theme is portrayed in both the upper andlower voices and takes some interesting turns harmonically. After reaching a dramatic climax at m. 42, it quickly moves into a return to its opening character. After a brief and quieter move harmonically to C major, it forcefully returns to its original key. A short diminuendo takes the piece into a building flourish of eighth notes in the violins and violas, accompanied by descending quarter notes in the cellos and basses before coming to its dynamic conclusion.

About Carl Fischer Young String Orchestra Series

This series of Grade 2/Grade 2.5 pieces is designed for second and third year ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:
--Occasionally extending to third position
--Keys carefully considered for appropriate difficulty
--Addition of separate 2nd violin and viola parts
--Viola T.C. part included
--Increase in independence of parts over beginning levels