Adventure on Bainbridge Island
by Alan Lee Silva
String Orchestra - Sheet Music

Orchestra Cello, Contrabass, Piano, Viola, Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3 - Grade 4

SKU: CF.CAS86

Composed by Alan Lee Silva. Concert String Orchestra. Set of Score and Parts. With Standard notation. 24+24+6+15+10+15+6+20 pages. Duration 5 minutes, 42 seconds. Carl Fischer Music #CAS86. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.CAS86).

ISBN 9780825899157. UPC: 798408099152. 9x12 inches. Key: G minor.

One of the best new pieces for advancing string orchestras that we have heard in years, this piece is destined to be a standard in the repertoire. Alan's pieces have a freshness that makes them always top sellers and most performed at major music conventions. We believe this piece to be one of his best in its stunning depiction of the beauty of Bainbridge Island located in the Puget Sound in Washington State. The pure natural beauty of this area is equally matched to the exquisite beauty of this new piece.
Adventure on Bainbridge Island is a string orchestra piece with a “made-in- America” spirit and sound, merging the simplicity and “singability” of folk song-like melodies with modern approaches in orchestration. With the striking, fiddle-like ensemble figures in fifths, the folk song-influenced themes and contemporary har- monies, Adventure on Bainbridge Island creates a joyous Americana sound from the opening measure.The three main elements to the piece are:1. the main folk song A-melody (first played by violin 1, mm. 17–25)2. the lyrical and flowing B-melody (first played by the violins, mm. 37–44)3. the recurring, driving, country-esque interlude figures (first played by violins and viola, mm. 9–16)The country-esque interlude figures immediately convey a unique American sound. They function as the engine for the piece, appearing throughout as interludes and accompaniment beds. The contemporary Western style and feel of these phrases suggest acoustic guitar strumming and country piano hammer-on playing tech- niques.The main theme is a simple, hummable tune with slightly more intricate variations gradually added in for interest and technical challenge. The main theme works as a high energy, up-tempo theme throughout and is also effectively paired down (as in the middle of the piece) as a ballad, played introspectively by a solo violin over a warm bed of lush, chord voicings.The second theme is an alter ego to the main theme, evoking grandeur and expansiveness. It has a different character from the main theme so as to create an emotional shift, since it originally occurs right after the main theme. This B-theme, played by the violins, has a soaring quality. Beneath it is a secondary cello melody just as important as it has its own melodic inertia, highlighting the harmony and driving this section forward. The driving Americana-style opening phrase (mm. 1–8) is bookended towards the close of the work (mm. 139–141).

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