Moonlight Over Madrid
by Alan Lee Silva
String Orchestra - Sheet Music

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

SKU: CF.YAS122

Composed by Alan Lee Silva. SWS FS. Young String Orchestra. Set of Score and Parts. With Standard notation. 8+2+8+5+5+3+5+8 pages. Duration 2 minutes, 56 seconds. Carl Fischer Music #YAS122. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.YAS122).

ISBN 9780825891434. UPC: 798408091439. 9 x 12 inches. Key: D major.

Written with a Spanish folk song flavor in 3/4 time, Moonlight Over Madrid is a lush, romantic piece that is played in an expressive, legato style. This is a definite creative departure for composer Alan Silva, but what remains intact is his fresh, melodic and flowing writing style.
Written with a Spanish folk song flavor in 3/4, Moonlight Over Madrid is a lush, romantic piece that is played in an expressive, legato style. The form is AAB with the A-sections functioning as gentle and introspective verses, and the B-sections functioning as joyous choruses, played full out. The main melodies and countermelodies are played in a flowing manner, and the recurring syncopated melody lines are not accented too heavily. The basses are pizzicato for most of the piece and provide a solid pulse and foundation, so the rest of the ensemble can float smoothly on top. The occasional staccatos followed by eighth rests (mm. 1-2, mm. 18, and mm. 34-35) should be observed as they provide an occasional, necessary break in the long, smooth melodies.Generally, the first violins carry the main melody of the piece most of the time, but each section of the ensemble usually has an equally important echo/counter-melody after the main tune or harmony line underneath the main tune. For example, in m. 5, the main theme is stated by the first violins; the counterlines inmm. 7-8 in the viola as well as the counterlines in the viola and cello in mm. 11-12 are integral to keeping the melodic rhythm and energy of the piece moving forward. Similarly, in m. 13, the violin 2/viola harmony line underneath the main melody in violin 1 is vital toward outlining the proper harmonic impression neededin creating this style. After the 2nd of each of the A-sections, there is a six-measure build-up to the B-sections (i.e. mm. 37-42 and mm. 75-80). In these small extensions of the A-sections,the piece grows from pleasant, lush verses into exuberant, soaring choruses. The tempo immediately slows at m. 93, along with a sudden dynamic shift to piano, featuring a singing solo violin passage over sul tasto tremolos in the rest of the violins and violas. The piece then finishes with warm ensemble harmonies and a final beautiful chord that slowly fades away to nothing under the fermata.

About Carl Fischer Young String Orchestra Series

This series of Grade 2/Grade 2.5 pieces is designed for second and third year ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:
--Occasionally extending to third position
--Keys carefully considered for appropriate difficulty
--Addition of separate 2nd violin and viola parts
--Viola T.C. part included
--Increase in independence of parts over beginning levels