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Bardic Air and Reel (flex)

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Larry Clark

Larry Clark


General Info

Year: 2020 / 2021
Duration: c. 4:20
Difficulty: II-1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Excelcia Music Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts (digital) - $60.00   |   Score Only (digital) - $10.00


Instrumentation (Flexible)

Full Score
Part A

  • C Instruments
    • Flute
    • Oboe
    • Violin
    • Guitar
  • B-flat Instruments
    • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
    • B-flat Trumpet
  • E-flat Instruments
    • E-flat Alto Saxophone

Part B

  • C Instruments
    • Oboe
    • Violin
    • Guitar
  • B-flat Instruments
    • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
    • B-flat Trumpet
  • E-flat Instruments
    • E-flat Alto Saxophone

Part C

  • C Instruments
    • Violin
    • Guitar
  • B-flat Instruments
    • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
    • B-flat Trumpet
    • Tenor Saxophone
  • E-flat Instruments
    • E-flat Alto Saxophone
    • E-flat Baritone Saxophone
  • F Instruments
    • F Horn

Part D

  • C Instruments
    • Trombone
    • Bassoon
    • Euphonium
    • Cello
    • String Bass
  • B-flat Instruments
    • Bass Clarinet
    • Tenor Saxophone
    • Baritone T.C.
  • E-flat Instruments
    • E-flat Baritone Saxophone
    • E-flat Contra-Alto Clarinet
  • F Instruments
    • F Horn

Part E

  • C Instruments
    • Trombone
    • Bassoon
    • Euphonium
    • Cello
    • String Bass
  • B-flat Instruments
    • Bass Clarinet
    • Tenor Saxophone
    • Baritone T.C.
  • E-flat Instruments
    • E-flat Baritone Saxophone
    • E-flat Contra-Alto Clarinet
  • C Instruments (low)
    • Tuba

Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tom-tom (medium)
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Bardic Air and Reel is an original composition that is intended to contain the flavor of Irish/Celtic folk music. Although none of the material is based on folk songs, there are iconic characteristics of the folk music of Ireland. The term "bardic" is defined as a person of Celtic origin who composed and recited epic or heroic poems, often while playing the harp or lyre.

The piece begins with a lush introduction based on a grace-note-type rhythm that is common to Irish music. This rhythm is an essential part of the “Air” section of the piece, which is set in a strophic form similar to a hymn, which is 16 measures in length. The “Air” is similar in form and structure to one of the most famous Irish folk songs/ hymns Slane, also known as Be Thou My Vision, with four-measure phrases, where the first, second and fourth phrases are related, and the third phrase brings forth a pseudo-“bridge” section, with a brief shift in tonal center. The first presentation of the theme after the introduction starts in the woodwinds. It is then followed by a brass version of the “Air” that leads to a climactic full band setting of the bridge phrase, before the piece decays to finish out this section.

A reel is a lively Irish (or Scottish) folk dance. Reels are in duple meter and are different from the triple meter of a jig. This section begins with the droning of bagpipe-type sounds over the top of Irish style drumming, similar to what you would hear played by a group of bodhrans. It contains lots of embellishments to the basic rhythmic figures. The piece is now in a minor key with a more modal melody and harmony, first played by the trumpets and then by all of the woodwinds, with the interaction of the bagpipe idea in the brass as the drums continue. The low brass then has a chance to play the “Reel” theme in augmentation, which is quickly followed by a breakdown section containing thick, punctuated harmonies in the band followed by fragments of the main “Reel” theme. A dramatic build ensues that leads to a shift to the major key for a triumphant return of the “Air” theme in an augmented form together with the “Reel” theme, now in major in the upper woodwinds at the same time. The slow tempo returns on the bridge phrase for the climax of the piece, then a short respite before the dramatic cinematic conclusion.

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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