“Heroes & Villains” for Wind Ensemble (2010)

*Winner of the 2010 Penfield Music Commission Project Composition Competition. Premier to take place May 27, 2010 by the Penfield High School Wind Ensemble in Penfield, NY.

Duration: 7’30″
Grade: 5
Instrumentation:
1 Picc., 2 Fl., 2 Ob., 2 Bsn., 1 Cbsn. (opt.),
1 Eb Cl., 3 Bb Cl., 1 B.Cl., 1 C.A.Cl. (opt.)
OR 1 Cb.Cl. (opt.),
2 A. Sax., 1 T. Sax., 1 Bari. Sax.,
4 Tpt., 4 Hn., 2 Tbn., 1 B.Tbn., 1 Euph., 1 Tba.,
1 Cb., Hp., Pno., Timp., 4 Perc.

Audio Excerpt:
(from original orchestral version before revisions—includes tail end of Introduction, entire Exposition, and part of Development section. Performed by SMSU Symphony.)

Notes:

Superheroes. Supervillains. Superpowers. Supercool gadgets.

Sinister plots. Alter egos.

And epic battles of good versus evil.

Our imaginations are powerfully drawn to the hero archetype—whether historical, legendary, mythical, or fictionalized.

“Heroes & Villains” celebrates the hero’s journey with a dramatic cinematic soundscape that may well be the soundtrack to your favorite hero story. The piece is not programmatic—so allow the music to ignite your imagination as you visualize your own storyline.

Structurally, the piece is in quasi-sonata form and is divided into five sections…

Section #1: Introduction

The opening four-note motif, Db – C – Ab – E, was the initial spark that set my imagination in motion as I began to work on this piece. You can hear it in the trombone entrance at the beginning, and in various guises throughout the piece.

Section #2: Exposition

There are three principle themes throughout the piece, and they all make their first appearance in the Exposition: The first theme grows out of the opening 4-note motif and makes its first appearance at “E”. The second begins at “G” in the high woodwinds. And the third is the trumpet countermelody at “H”.

Section #3: Climax & Contrast

Following the Exposition, the third theme is developed into the heroic climax at “K”, which is then followed by a contrasting section characterized by its thinner, more delicate textures.

Section #4: Exposition Returns

Following a beautiful Alto Sax cadenza, the Exposition returns—this time in a different key.

Section #5: Coda

The coda follows up on previously established motives—and introduces a few new ones—as the piece marches toward its inevitable climax.

Overall, “Heroes & Villains” is a fun, exciting, and dramatic piece that performers and listeners alike will enjoy.

11X17 Score: $55 / Rental of Score & Parts: $195 Contact me to purchase.

*Also available for Symphony Orchestra