Accentuate

Ira Hearshen

Ira Hearshen

Accentuate is the fifth movement of the dance suite Aragon 1945-1952.

General Info

Year: 2017
Duration: c. 4:10
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Ludwig Masters
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $75.00   |   Score Only (print) - $18.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo/Flute III
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II-III
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Harp
Timpani
Percussion, including:

• Drum Set
• Mark Tree
• Orchestra Bells
• Suspended Cymbal
• Triangle
• Vibraphone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The fifth and final movement of Aragon 1945-1952 was inspired by the 1944 hit Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. Used in the wartime film Here Come the Waves, the song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1945. Mercer recorded the song, as did several other popular singers.

Scored in an up-tempo swing feel, the memorable melodic material, attractive contrasts of texture (including a section featuring the saxophones), and the overall feel-good big band mood all combine to effectively convey the positivity and uplifting spirit found in the lyrics of the original song: "You've got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, and latch on to the affirmative. Don't mess with Mr. In-Between."

- Program Note from The Instrumentalist

Media

• Audio: Reference recording. MIDI realization

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Works for Winds by This Composer

• Abbey Road (as arranger)
• Aragon 1945-1952 (2017)
  • Sentimental
  • Tennessee
  • Ballerina
  • Enchanted
  • Accentuate
• Band Jive (2009)
• Danish Bouquet (2005)
• Divertimento for Band (2000)
• Fantasia on Aura Lee
• Forged in Fire (as transcriber) (2008)
• March from "Strike Up the Band" (as arranger)
• No Biz Like Show Biz (as arranger)
• Patriotic Overture, A
• Reveille (2017)
• Symphonic Dances from "Fiddler on the Roof" (as arranger)
• Symphony on Themes of John Philip Sousa
  • After Washington Post
  • After the Thunderer
  • After Fairest of the Fair
  • After Hands Across the Sea

Resources

• Ira Hearshen website Accessed 30 August 2019
• "New Music Reviews." The Instrumentalist, 72/6 (January 2018), p. 28-30.