Waterloo Station
by Alan Lee Silva
String Orchestra - Sheet Music

Orchestra String Orchestra - Grade 4

SKU: CF.CAS44

Composed by Alan Lee Silva. FS-SWS. Carl Fischer Concert String Orchestra Series. Score and Parts. With Standard notation. 24+24+4+10+10+5+10+16 pages. Carl Fischer Music #CAS44. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.CAS44).

ISBN 9780825867118. UPC: 798408067113. 8.5 X 11 inches. Key: G minor.

This is a tour-de-force for the advancing string orchestra. Beautiful, dramatic, and flowing, Waterloo Station is very fresh and contemporary. Students will love it for the lush harmonic textures and rhythmic drive that this composer is so noted for.
Composed as a characterization of the fast-paced atmosphere of London’s Waterloo Train Station, this fast-slow-fast piece combines technical excitement with heartfelt simplicity.The fast section in G minor consists of two main parts: the intense, emotional A section at m. 21 and the legato, sweeping B section at m. 59. The syncopated tutti figures in the high strings coupled with the fiery cello and bass lines propel the fast sections. The phrase in mm. 1–8 recurs throughout. Making four- to eight-measure exercises of this section below tempo in the violins and viola, focusing on rhythmic clarity, will help to lock in the syncopation. Similarly, the cello and bass should rehearse this slowly as well as mm. 9–16 to gain fluidity and insure a solid foundation.The cellos carry the tune at m. 71, and the ensemble builds from mm. 79–86 to the transition at m. 87. An abrupt change to half tempo here slows the momentum and transitions to a quiet, melancholy tone in m. 91. The middle section (ABA) begins in G minor with a somber quality, highlighted by the Violin I solo. It gradually builds to a beautiful, uplifting setting as it moves to G major in m. 100. Returning back to the hushed G minor tonality, it then speeds up again and transitions back to Tempo I for a brief recapitulation of the fast section. Measure 117 marks the return to vigorous playing, beginning softly and building to a thrilling ride to the end.

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