Keystone
by Alan Lee Silva
String Orchestra - Sheet Music

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

SKU: CF.CAS81

Composed by Alan Lee Silva. Carl Fischer Concert String Orchestra Series. Set of Score and Parts. With Standard notation. 32+24+15+15+6+7+10+16 pages. Duration 3 minutes, 51 seconds. Carl Fischer Music #CAS81. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.CAS81).

ISBN 9780825894824. UPC: 798408094829. 9 x 12 inches. Key: A minor.

Keystone begins with driving rhythms that build in intensity to a luscious violin solo. After the beautiful solo is completed, a full ensemble section is presented. What makes Keystone special is how the piece intertwines the two ideas in an incredibly spectacular fashion. For more advanced groups with a strong concertmaster, this piece again proves why Alan Lee Silva is one of the top composers of string music today.
The heartbeat and central rhythmic structure of Keystone is based on a two-mea- sure, 3-3-2 accented pattern. The accented beats are on beats 1 and 4 in m. 1, and beat 3 in m. 2. The ensemble should focus on playing together with this basic rhythmic emphasis to perform precisely with good feel throughout the piece.Written in A minor and with an AABAABCA form, the piece begins with the ensem- ble playing with passion and energy from the start. Violin 1 carries the melody over the accompaniment in violin 2, viola and cello. Pizzicato basses enter with a solid rhythmic groove in m. 8 adding the foundation and low-end support to both the harmonic structure and the recurring rhythmic pattern. A solo violin enters in m. 24 and dances above the undulating accompaniment.A ten-measure build (broken into a six-measure phrase and a four-measure phrase in mm. 29-38) has the full ensemble roaring and decelerating dramatically, launch- ing into the grand and resplendent B-theme at m. 39. The straight rhythmic feel in the B-section in mm. 39-52 departs from the two-measure accented, rhythmic pat- tern of the A-section. The violins soar, supported by full, lush voicings in the middle and low strings. After a four-measure transition in mm. 53-56, featuring accented cello and bass lines, the A-section and the 3-3-2 pattern are reprised in mm. 57-70. The solo violin returns, beginning with two-measure step-out phrases and builds into flowing lines over the driving A-theme.The majestic B-theme recurs in mm. 79-87 with interesting interplay in mm. 85-87, as motives are distributed throughout the sections of the group. The energy increas- es in the percussive and punctuated C-section in mm. 88-102, featuring more exchanges throughout the orchestra. The final A-section in mm. 107-125 spotlights the violin soloist again atop a thundering orchestra pushing toward the ending. Strong marcato ensemble figures in mm. 125-126 and a pyramid effect in m. 127 set up the final 3-3-2 ensemble figure in mm.129-130, as Keystone concludes dra- matically with the powerful final hit in m. 131.

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