ISBN 9780825888755. 8.5 x 11 inches. Key: G major.
Harkening back to the past, this modal-sounding piece from Sean O'Loughlin will make your students feel like they are playing some serious music! Indeed, the piece is serious in nature; it just happens to be written very appropriately for the youngest of students with limited rhythms and notes. Its mysterious minor tone is well-scored to make your group sound marvelous, as well as make them want to play it over and over.
Mythos is a dramatic work for the developing string orchestra. The music embodies old heroic tales (or myths) that are passed on from generation to generation by word of mouth. Music is another powerful tool to pass along these legends. I invite you to create your own tale to go along with the music. The opening four note motif in E minor serves as a connector throughout the piece. After being passed around the ensemble, it leads into the main melody at m. 15. In the celli and bass parts, be sure to bring out the dotted half note on beat 2 in mm. 15-17, then again at mm. 19-21. It creates a counter pulse to the melody rhythm. The E minor motif returns at m. 31 for more development and imitation. Cherish the two beats of silence in m. 51 to create tension and anticipation for the main melody to return at m. 52. The piece ends with powerful rhythmic punctuations.
