Confluence
by Sean O'Loughlin
String Orchestra - Sheet Music

Orchestra Cello, Contrabass, Piano, Viola, Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3 - Grade 3

SKU: CF.CAS52

Composed by Sean O'Loughlin. FS - SWS. Concert String Orchestra. Set of Score and Parts. With Standard notation. 8+8+2+5+5+5+2+8 pages. Carl Fischer Music #CAS52. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.CAS52).

ISBN 9780825869747. UPC: 798408069742. 8.5 X 11 inches. Key: C major.

Confluence, named for a word which means the converging of people or objects, is a dramatic work for the maturing string orchestra. Lush, lyrical, and full of expressive possibilities, Confluence will really improve the musicianship of your orchestra.
Confluence is a dramatic work for the maturing string orchestra. The roots of the piece stem from a solo piano work I composed while still in college. I always wanted to expand this piece for strings, and the opportunity finally presented itself. The word “confluence” means a coming together of people or things: a concourse. For me, this piece symbolizes the coming together of two time periods in my writing.The music is full of expansive phrases that provide important teaching moments. All too often, our lives are fast and furious, and we perform music that resembles that. This piece gives us time to reflect and cherish the beauty that lies within slower music. The opening reflects my love of the music of twentieth-century American composers. This simple, yet haunting motive is the backbone of the entire work. There is some dissonance, but it is tasteful and moves towards resolution. Bring out this dissonance to create the tension and release that is so important to this piece. The tempo is marked as quarter note equals 60, but feel free to perform this piece in a rubato style. Be sure to take your time at the end of phrases for the most dramatic effect. After the deliberate opening, the music should flow more freely with a lilt to it at m. 14. This lilt relaxes at m. 27 and leads into the primary build-up at m. 34. Take your time at m. 35 for the climax of the piece. A secondary climax happens at m. 43, which should be slightly softer than at m. 35. The dynamics should abruptly change to soft at m. 44. The melody then returns in the violin at m. 47 as an epilogue to the music from before. Allow the final note to fade off in the distance for an emotional ending.

About Carl Fischer Concert String Orchestra Series

This series of pieces (Grade 3 and higher) is designed for advancing ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:

• Expanded use of rhythms, ranges and keys but technical demands are still carefully considered
• More comprehensive bowing techniques
• Viola T.C. included
• Careful selection of keys and degree of difficulty for advancing musicians