incantation and ritual
Brian balmages - Grade 1.5
About the music
Incantation and Ritual is reminiscent of an ancient tribal gather. It opens with a slow mysterious melody that should sound like a soft chant. The occasionally repeated percussion sounds break the calm atmosphere then retreat back into the texture. the ritual section is characterized with great fire and energy supported by a wealth of percussion.
Tempo & style
Incantation (QN=84)
Ritual (QN=158)
Ritual (QN=158)
Ranges
Flute
|
Clarinet 1
|
Clarinet 2
|
Trumpet
|
Trombone
|
instrumentation
WOODWIND
Flute Oboe Bassoon Clarinet 1-2 Bass Clarinet Alto Sax Tenor Sax Baritone Sax |
BRASS
Trumpet 1-2 French Horn Trombone Euphonium Tuba |
PERCUSSION
Bells 2 Tom-toms Tambourine Claves Optional Parts: Suspended Cymbal Triangle Wind Chimes Rainstick Crash Cymbals |
teaching concept categories
teaching considerations
In the opening Incantation section, take care that the whole notes and half notes are held all the way to the rest in the downbeat of the following measure. This section provides opportunity to work on playing softly, a particular challenge for young players. The open fifths in the accompaniment throughout the piece provide ample opportunity to work on intonation. Written in concert C minor, the open fifth interval on the tonic (concert pitches C and G) has intonation challenges for many instruments. Trumpets need to be sure to extend the third valves slide for low D, clarinets need to lower A, and flutes need to lower C (to name a few).