This suite is in three movements, Chaconne, Intermezzo and March. It is an arrangement of Holst’s first suite for military band. On one occasion the first part goes up to 8th position and there is quite a bit of 5th position. Running passages get passed between the parts, there are semiquaver passages involving string crossing, double stops and many contrasting articulations to watch our for.
The complete Suite can be tackled by pupils of Grade 8 standard, while the Courante and two Menuets are accessible to Grade 6 pupils.
Each of the six movements has its own character. All require fine bow control and a variety of different articulations, including repeated patterns, uneven bowing and string-crossings.
The Suite can serve as a useful introduction to stylistically appropriate concepts of phrasing and dynamics.
Carol, the second movement from the Suite for Viola and Orchestra, has a deceptively simple tune alternating between 4/4 and 5/4 and finishing in 3/2. It requires good cantabile playing with very smooth position changes. A lovely piece for the middle of an A level recital programme.
The Prelude, first movement from the Suite for Viola and Orchestra, is a truly lovely piece though quite demanding technically. It has changes of style, key, clef and time signature. At the start it is reminiscent of a Bach unaccompanied suite.
A mixture of fast and cantabile movements in an approachable contemporary style. It is a feast of contemporary effects such as arco battuto, tremolo, LH pizzicato and false harmonics.
The movements are: Make me a Garment; No Justice; The Wind Blow East; The Keys to the Prison; Trouble, Trouble.
Oversize music, poor print.
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