Here is a selection of brand-new lyrical Editors’ Choice orchestra titles. We heard your feedback! You suggested and we listened – now, you can search for orchestral works using the term “lyrical” to save time when programming concerts. What do we mean by lyrical? In these selections, you can expect to hear melodies that could be sung easily, simple variations of conjunct and disjunct motion, call and response, tight-knit form, and upward melodic contours resolving to downward melodic contours.
Pachelbel’s Rhapsody
Johann Pachelbel/arr. Katie O’Hara Labrie – Carl Fischer LLC
Finally, an interpretation of Pachelbel’s famous Canon in D with more than eight notes for the cello and bass sections! This well-known melody is creatively reimagined so that all voices get a chance to explore new, dreamlike melodies that float around Pachelbel’s original harmonic foundation.
Starts at 1:35
Colorful Sunrise
Yukiko Nishimura – Excelcia Music Publishing, LLC
This lush and gorgeous work is every bit as warm as the title suggests and offers young musicians a chance to explore the harmonic intrigue that Nishimura is known for, allowing them to grow musically while having fun.
Starts at 2:31
Compassion
Rossano Galante – Alfred Publishing Belwin Division
Written in memory of a 14-year-old boy who lost his life, this emotional, lyrical selection sets the tone for love and loss. The introduction incorporates a gentle string passage featuring a chordal and cerebral texture. The violins state the main theme, accompanied by lush string harmony. The accompaniment becomes rhythmically busier as the piece develops, incorporating arpeggiations and ostinati. After reaching its climax, the composition concludes just as it began, with quiet and chordal strings, bringing this musical offering to an emotional close. (4:30)
Starts at 3:19
Melody
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor/arr. Robert Debbaut – Carl Fischer LLC
Violinist and composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was known for embracing the previously unexplored song and dance forms from his father’s native West Africa and incorporating them into his own very European art music. The simply titled Melody is taken from Three Short Pieces for Organ, a set of lyrical pieces with tuneful, songlike qualities.
Starts at 4:21
Golden Hour
Nicolás Repetto – DogSmile Music
A programmatic work inspired by a visit to Malibu, California for an afternoon picnic. As the sun sets, beautiful hues kiss the sky in this lyrical work based on the lydian scale. A great way to introduce your students to lush, cinematic harmonies as well as introduce the lydian mode.
Starts at 5:09
Pavane for a Dead Princess
Maurice Ravel/arr. Jeremy Woolstenhulme – Neil A. Kjos Music Company
This absolutely stunning arrangement of one of Ravel’s most beautiful works gives advanced string orchestras the opportunity to perform with maturity and elegance. It features particularly exquisite moments for solo violin. A required piano part is also included.
Starts at 5:51
Ariana
Peter Blair – Kendor Music Publishing
This lush ballad rich in jazz harmonies harkens back to the beautiful string orchestrations from the classic albums of Sinatra and Nat King Cole. A rare opportunity for your musicians to explore this side of orchestral playing.
Starts at 6:47
Long Journey Home
Susan H. Day – Highland/Etling Publishing
This lyrical work evokes the emotions of returning home, with ambivalent feelings of sadness and joy, uncertainty, steadiness, hope, and triumph as the music moves between minor and major. Everyone gets to play melody lines, with pizzicato and divisi, shifting in violin 1, and plenty of opportunities for expressive playing and legato bow strokes. (3:15)
Starts at 7:42
Of Lochs and Thistles
Christina Huss – Randall Standridge Music, LLC
This nostalgic work evokes the folk music of Scotland with soaring melodies, lush harmonies, and a powerful modulation from C to D major. Orchestrated with developing musicians in mind, this will serve as a vehicle for expressive playing and tonal development as well as providing a wonderful contrast at your next concert or festival performance.
Starts at 8:24
Emerald Sky
Larry Clark – Excelcia Music Publishing, LLC
This lovely ballad features beautiful melodic lines and major-seventh harmonies with rich suspensions that will evoke an emotional response every time from both the audience and musicians. Expand your players’ musicianship while feeding their souls.
Starts at 9:14
The post New Lyrical Editors’ Choice Orchestra Selections for 2024! appeared first on Cued In.