Doug Spata

A fast, dark and energetic piece that is certain to be a favorite of students (think "Game of Thrones" theme…). The musical material is solid, and typical of composers such as Spata or Del Borgo. This piece would work well as a motivation to work on flat keys, and melodic independence; as well as tone quality and vibrato in the slow section.

AISI Level - 10/10

AQ Level - 6.5/10

Interest Allocation - All parts receive melodic material

Key area: D Minor

LH:
~ 1st Position throughout for everyone but DB,
~ (1flat) - inherent issues (1/2 pos. for DB, Backward Ex.1 for Vlc… low 1's for Vln/Vla),
~ Accidentals (B naturals, F#/C# in Cello [par. major modulation])

Intonation and Balance:
~ Tendencies of key of 1♭ (see LH.)
~ Exposed Passages
~~~ Exposed Vla @ 2-5, 52 - 55
~~~ Exposed Vlc @ 25 - 30
~~~ Exposed Vln1 @ 27 - 28, 89 - 90
~ Slow choral-like section @ 56 - 78 = lyrical counterpoint

RH:
~ Simple Staccato (possibly spiccato in faster spiccato 8th passages)
~ Simple Slurs (2 - 4 notes, confined to pulse, often 2nd note of groups of 2 is staccato)
~ Lifts (down-downs, frequent)

Tone and Expressivity:
~ Wide dynamic range, replete with hairpins and crescendi/diminuendi
~ VIBRATO and shape is necessary in the slow section

Rhythm & Texture:
~ No syncopations or difficult rhythms (most rhythms vis-a-vis the pulse)

Meter: 4/4

Tempo: Fast - h=80 (q=160)

Road Map: None… (mere)