A Beginning, a Middle and an End
A Beginning, a Middle and an End
This is single extended piece lasts a total of 12 minutes, and as its name implies, it is in three distinct but related movements.
First comes a lush and lyrical opening ballad ‘Beginning’, which features an alto sax melody over warm blended horn textures. There are solo features for alto sax and piano, and the piece builds to a spectacular crescendo, which bursts unexpectedly into the ‘Middle’, a punchy and unpredictable fast swing groove tune, featuring horn stabs and dissonant voicings
Once the fast swing material is established, a tenor solo feature follows, and there is an opportunity for some chaotic ‘time no changes’ ensemble work. The piece gradually builds back into a recap of the early punchy material, which leads to a further tense climax, and a solo featuring soprano sax.
Finally, the earlier lush ballad material returns, this time featuring Kenny Wheeler-style flugelhorn textures. Starting full-textured and elegaic, the ‘End’ brings the piece to a final peaceful close.
LEVEL: Advanced, suitable for experienced college, semi-pro or pro bands.
LISTEN TO THE WHOLE PIECE BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW
WHAT YOU GET:
Conductor’s score pdf, pdfs of all parts and a quality demo mp3 of the piece being played virtually, using a combination of SIbelius and Logic Pro X digital sounds.
The piece is scored for:
Alto Sax 1, doubling Soprano; Alto Sax 2, doubling flute; Tenor Sax 1; Tenor Sax 2; Baritone Sax.
Trumpets 1-4, ideally all 4 doubling flugelhorns.
Trombones 1-3 and Bass Trombone.
Piano, Upright Bass, Drum Set, Guitar.