Shepherd's Song

Shepherd's Song (from Mvt. 5 of Pastoral Symphony (No. 6)). By Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). Arranged by Brian Slawson. Mallet Ensemble. For glockenspiel, chimes, crotales (2 octaves), xylophone, vibraphone, 1 small marimba (3-octave), 2 medium marimbas (4-octave), and 3 large marimbas (shared 5-octave) (14 players). Percussion Ensembles. Medium. Score and CD-ROM (containing printable parts). 24 pages. Duration 3'10". Published by Tapspace Publications (TA.TSPCE-58).

It's hard to imagine that Ludwig van Beethoven's delicate and good-natured Pastoral Symphony (No. 6) was composed at the same time (1807-08) as his rambunctious, blockbuster Fifth Symphony ... not to mention they were both premiered at the same concert! Opening with the most recognizable four-note riff in the history of music, Beethoven's Fifth steamrolls its way through a tumultuous path of fate, fire, and fury while his Pastoral Symphony gently communicates his fondness for walks through the countryside and his love of nature. The final movement, "Shepherd's Song: Happy and Grateful Feelings after the Storm," is a remarkably joyful work, and through a large orchestration of mallet instruments, Brian Slawson creates a unique and crowd-pleasing way for percussion ensembles to communicate with sensitivity and richness. This piece comes with a full, bound score and includes a CD-Rom containing an audio recording and all individual parts available for printing.