Elegy

For this touching and intense memoriam piece, the mechanics are on the easy side of Grade 4 but the demand for tone quality and control in tenuto passages and long slurred phrases calls for the best of musicianship from any group.The tempo indication (adagio e rubato) invites wonderfully expressive ensemble playing - over a quiet unifying heartbeat from the timpani, the band explores the emotions felt after a tragic personal loss. A soaring horn solo (cuedin trumpet and alto sax) leads poignantly toward a gentle bells and wind chime ending.