Scherzo: Cat and Mouse
General Info
Year: 2012
Duration: c. 6:20
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
Cost: Score and Parts - $95.00 | Score Only - $10.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
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
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:
- Bass Drum
- Crash Cymbal
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
- Triangle
- Vibraphone
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
In the spirit of playfulness and suspense, this marvelous work is both entertaining and exhilarating as it offers a musical depiction of a "cat and mouse chase."
- Program Note from publisher
The "cat and mouse chase" has been a part of folklore and popular culture since the time of pharaohs in ancient Egypt. Over the ages, the chase has served as a metaphor for the suspenseful and sometimes alternating relation between hunter and hunted. In the modern age, the story has been played out hundreds of times in popular animated cartoons, often accompanied by a musical score representing the energetic spirit of the chase with lively twists and turns, sudden surprises and tongue-in-cheek music. In this spirit of playfulness and suspense, Robert Spittal has created a marvelous work that is both entertaining and exhilarating.
- Program Note by Boosey & Hawkes
This entertaining work effectively conveys the playfulness and suspense of the cat and mouse chase. Creatively scored in a driving 3/4 time with contrasting textures, rhythmic variety, brisk passages, (usually played by high woodwinds, trumpet I, and mallet percussion), and melodic and harmonic interest throughout, this exhilarating piece makes it easy for the listener to visualize the nuances of the unfolding chase. Several instruments are given solo opportunities, including clarinet, trumpet, bassoon, flute, tenor saxophone, and trombone. As an aid in projecting the playful energy of the piece, an accomplished xylophone player is also needed for numerous unison lines with upper woodwinds and trumpet.
- Program Note from The Instrumentalist, September 2013
Media
- Audio: Reference recording. University of North Texas Wind Symphony, Eugene M. Corporon, conductor
- Audio CD: North Texas Wind Symphony (Eugene Migliaro Corporon, conductor) - 2014
State Ratings
North Carolina: VI
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- University of Colorado Boulder Concert Band (Matthew Dockendorf, conductor) – 17 April 2019
- University of Southern Maine (Gorham) Concert Band (Jacqueline Townsend, conductor) – 31 March 2019
- Oakland (Calif.) Municipal Band (Troy Davis, conductor) – 7 August 2016
- Lone Star Wind Symphony (Richardson, Tex.) (Eugene Migliaro Corporon, conductor) - 25 January 2015
- University of North Texas Wind Symphony (Eugene Migliaro Corporon, conductor) - April 2012 - *Premiere Performance*
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- Pacem (Adaptable Band) (2005/2020)
- Suite Euphonious (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2020)
- Winsome Variations (Flex instrumentation) (2019/2020)
All Wind Works
- Arise (2021)
- Blue Allusions (2020)
- Celestial Song (2014)
- Chinook Sketches
- Consort for Ten Winds (2005)
- Diversions (2018)
- Euphonious IV (2018)
- Tarantella Forsennato (2010)
- Lament (for a Fallen Friend)
- Mockingbird Rag
- Pacem (2005)
- Pacem (Adaptable Band) (2005/2020)
- Pacem (Brass Choir)
- Pineapple Frippery
- Prelude and Flight for Violin and Band (2014)
- Prelude and Scherzo
- Tarantella Forsennato (2005/2009)
- Scherzo: Cat and Mouse (2012)
- St George's Fanfare
- Suite Euphonious (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2020)
- Winsome Variations (2019)
- Winsome Variations (Flex instrumentation) (2019/2020)
- Winter Dreams
Resources
- Quaale, Kristopher J. "Scherzo: Cat and Mouse." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 9, edit. & comp. by Richard Miles, 637-642. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2013.
- Robert Spittal website Accessed 29 May 2016