The two-minute symphony
Bob Margolis - Grade 1.5
About the music
Can there be a two-minute symphony? This work is certainly two minutes, and it does sound like a symphony because there are symphonic elements in it: It has a clearly-stated theme, which is developed, fragmented, plopped into minor, extended, kneaded, and recapitulated. Fiddled with, actually--like Beethoven, only smaller. Therefore, many of the markings and trimmings of a symphony are here, and even though there is not enough time for a secondary theme, we are clearly in proto-symphonic territory.
Tempo & style
Allegretto
Lento Andante
Allegro Molto
Lento Andante
Allegro Molto
Ranges
Flute
|
Clarinet 1
|
Clarinet 2
|
Trumpet
|
Trombone
|
instrumentation
WOODWIND
Flute 1/Piccolo Flute 2 Oboe Bassoon Clarinet 1-2 Bass Clarinet Alto Sax Tenor Sax Baritone Sax |
BRASS
Trumpet 1-2 French Horn Trombone Euphonium Tuba |
PERCUSSION
Small Drum Tambourine Chimes Bass Drum Crash Cymbals Xylophone Timpani |
teaching concept categories
teaching considerations
This piece is a great vehicle for teaching musical form. Have students find the theme (and play it for them). Explain that the them of the piece is not only in the melody but also in the rhythmic motif--quarter, eighth-eighth, quarter--and both are developed. Compare the development to the original theme. Encourage discussion--the goal is to get students this to and understanding what is happening in the music.