SYMPHONY OF THE EARLY MARSH ORCHID for orchestra
by Peter Lawson
Goodmusic Concert Originals GMCO145
Catalogue Number: GMCO145
Difficulty level: F What's this?
ISMN: 9790222302952
Orchestration: 2 Flutes (2nd db.Piccolo & Alto Flute), 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets in Bb, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns in F, 2 Trumpets in Bb, 3 Trombones, Tuba, Timpani
Percussion (5 players: Temple Blocks, Triangle, Cymbals, Snare Drum, Tambourine, Tam-tam, Bass Drum, Wood Blocks, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, Tubular Bells), Harp, Celesta
Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
The Early Marsh Orchid, Dactylhoriza incarnata, ssp.incarnata, is a robust, impressive plant, typically growing in wet, calcareous meadows and stabilised sand dunes.
In the Symphony of the Early Marsh Orchid, the first movement, Incarnata, is in modified sonata-form, the second subject - in tranquillity - portraying the rare and beautiful pure-white var.alba, leading back to Incarnata part two, which is a short development section. This leads to new material representing ssp.pulchella, a redder form, typically found in more acidic habitats. It takes the form of a delicate dance-like section. Incarnata part three follows, continuing the development section, then recapitulating the first two subjects.
The second movement, Cruenta (splashed with blood), is a cruel break from the relatively easy listening of the first movement! It is common in the Burren area of Western Ireland and the botanical name refers to red-brown spots on the leaves. An introduction splashes orchestral blood around before leading to a scherzo section in the form of a jig with three elements. The first is a layered crescendo, the second is lighter and more delicate, and the third is a fully-blown Irish gig, whirling around manically, depicting a ceilidh in full swing.
The third movement, Ochroleuca (straw-coloured), depicts the rare form found in the fenlands of East Anglia. It is in ternary form, with the outer sections having a somewhat Mahlerian feel. The middle section is dance-like with a sort of Turkish flavour - a reference to the curved bracts that all Marsh orchids have, which give the orchid a Middle-Eastern appearance.
The fourth movement Coccinea (vermillion, brick-red to scarlet), refers to a form which is never common, but can be found in large numbers in some stabilised dune locations, notably in South Wales and particularly at Kenfig Burrows, near Port Talbot Steel Works.
A PACK includes a full score, string parts 4/4/3/4/2 and all wind, brass and percussion parts.
Duration 28 minutes
Percussion (5 players: Temple Blocks, Triangle, Cymbals, Snare Drum, Tambourine, Tam-tam, Bass Drum, Wood Blocks, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, Tubular Bells), Harp, Celesta
Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
The Early Marsh Orchid, Dactylhoriza incarnata, ssp.incarnata, is a robust, impressive plant, typically growing in wet, calcareous meadows and stabilised sand dunes.
In the Symphony of the Early Marsh Orchid, the first movement, Incarnata, is in modified sonata-form, the second subject - in tranquillity - portraying the rare and beautiful pure-white var.alba, leading back to Incarnata part two, which is a short development section. This leads to new material representing ssp.pulchella, a redder form, typically found in more acidic habitats. It takes the form of a delicate dance-like section. Incarnata part three follows, continuing the development section, then recapitulating the first two subjects.
The second movement, Cruenta (splashed with blood), is a cruel break from the relatively easy listening of the first movement! It is common in the Burren area of Western Ireland and the botanical name refers to red-brown spots on the leaves. An introduction splashes orchestral blood around before leading to a scherzo section in the form of a jig with three elements. The first is a layered crescendo, the second is lighter and more delicate, and the third is a fully-blown Irish gig, whirling around manically, depicting a ceilidh in full swing.
The third movement, Ochroleuca (straw-coloured), depicts the rare form found in the fenlands of East Anglia. It is in ternary form, with the outer sections having a somewhat Mahlerian feel. The middle section is dance-like with a sort of Turkish flavour - a reference to the curved bracts that all Marsh orchids have, which give the orchid a Middle-Eastern appearance.
The fourth movement Coccinea (vermillion, brick-red to scarlet), refers to a form which is never common, but can be found in large numbers in some stabilised dune locations, notably in South Wales and particularly at Kenfig Burrows, near Port Talbot Steel Works.
A PACK includes a full score, string parts 4/4/3/4/2 and all wind, brass and percussion parts.
Duration 28 minutes
