YOUNG BAND REPERTOIRE PROJECT

Literature Analyses

BLUE RIDGE SAGA

written by James Swearingen


Publisher: Birch Island Press
Year Published: 1990
Difficulty Level: Publisher rating = not given

1987-90 Texas PML rating = Grade 2
 
Reviewed by: Frank Lozano - Spring 1999
Style/Form: Andante Sostenuto (quarter = 84, m.1 - m.18); Allegro (quarter = 120, m.19 - 90); Molto espressivo (quarter = 92 - 96, m. 91 - m.129); Allegro (quarter = 120, m.130 - 191); Maestoso (quarter = 100 - 104, m.192 - 199); Espressivo (quarter = 84, m.200 - 205); Allargando (m.206 - end)

A (m.19 - 36); B (m.37 - 74); A (m.75 - 90);  C (m.91 - 129); A (m.138 - 153); B (m.154 - 191); A (m.192 - end)
Key Signatures:

(concert pitch)

 Two key changes:

three flats (m.1 - 94); two flats (m.95 - 110); three flats (m.111 - end)
Time Signatures: 4/4 (m.1 - m.18); 2/4 (m.19 - m.36); 6/8 (m.37 - m.74); 2/4 (m.75 - m.90); 3/4 (m.91 - m.129); 2/4 (m.130 - m.153); 6/8 (m.154 - m.191); 4/4 (m.192 - end)
Ranges: Woodwinds:
    average
Brass:
    Trumpet 1 up to f1; Trombone 1 up to e flat; Trombone 2 up to d
Rhythms: Winds:
    Level 2 with sixteenth note runs in the woodwinds and trumpets; duples throughout the band during the 6/8 section
Percussion:
    Level 2; Snare has Level 3 rhythms throughout with syncopation
Instrumentation: Flute and Piccolo, Oboe, 1st Clarinet, 2nd Clarinet, 3rd Clarinet, Alto Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, 1st Alto Sax, 2nd Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, 1st Trumpet, 2nd Trumpet, 3rd Trumpet, 1st and 2nd Horns, 3rd and 4th Horns, 1st Trombone, 2nd Trombone, 3rd Trombone, Baritone BC, Baritone TC, Tuba, String Bass, Snare/Bass Drum, Mallets, Cymbals, Timpani
Percussion: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Xylophone, Bells, Chimes, Suspended Cymbal, Crash Cymbals, Timpani (4 drums), Gong, Tambourine, Triangle
Conductor Score: Full score; 27 lines
Length/Timing: 5 minutes, 33 seconds; 212 measures
Comments:
  • Variety of meters and styles
  • Solos in percussion (4 measures) 
  • Several solis for upper woodwinds and trumpets
  • Use of accents, agogic accents; use of marcato at fortissimo dynamic marking 

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