Zoology (finished work)

Hi everyone.

Have more or less finished composing this now; though I might tweak the ending a little.

It's for a large wind band, and I've posted it before in the incomplete section.

The piece represents a dawn chorus in an African jungle, with the animals waking up one by one, each represented by a different instrument. The saxophones are mischievous monkeys, the castanets woodpeckers, the oboe is a snake, the piccolo represents birdsong, etc...

I wonder how effective it is in creating the tone picture I was aiming for?

I'm not sure I've got the right order for the instruments in my score, but I went with the MuseScore setting for a concert band.

Not certain what instrumentation I should recommend: so any hints on that would be helpful!

Perhaps I should add some more breath-marks, or make some tweaks to the time signatures?

Also not 100% sure how solo/tutti indications work in a wind band. Do they assume tutti unless otherwise indicated?

Edit: The latest version of this piece is posted further down the thread.

Edited November 3, 20241 yr by Alex Weidmann
Replaced pdf with minor score corrections

Just made an improved version of this score, with more sensible time signatures, and other corrections.

Hi ... I really enjoyed the canvass you painted ... very colorful and playful.  Although, the picture I create in my mind is different from your title/intent.  I hear a triumphant epic/journey ... which I guess does fit your narrative too!  A great movie score!!!

Mark

Thanks Mark!

I actually added a new ending this week (which is definitely my final revision, as I've now sent it off to a competition for judging).

The new version is attached below, with an improved score.

New material starts around 7'30".

This is the programme note I sent them:

In this piece, I’ve attempted to conjure up a dawn chorus in a jungle setting.

The animals awake one by one, each embodied by a different instrument. 
We start with birdsong in the piccolo, and the tapping of woodpeckers from the castanets, whilst the melodic line in the oboe coils like a snake.

Soon they are joined by a mischievous troop of monkeys, portrayed by a choir of saxophones. 

Some sounds are ambiguous. Perhaps the maracas could be a rattlesnake; or is it just rustling in the undergrowth?

The tempo increases as the pace of life quickens.
Predators begin hunting their prey, looking for a tasty breakfast!

The mood alternates rapidly from serene and playful passages into more sinister and dangerous terrain. Some creatures are harmless and beautiful; whilst others are vicious and threatening!

The work eventually builds to a heady and chaotic climax, as an intoxicating plethora of wildlife joyfully greets the new day.