Shenandoah Program Notes: Summon The Heroes

SHENANDOAH
PROGRAM NOTES
In my setting of Shenandoah I was inspired by the freedom and beauty of the folk
melody and by the natural images evoked by the words, especially the image of a
river. I was less concerned with the sound of a rolling river than with its lifeaffirming energy -- its timelessness. Sometimes the accompaniment flows quietly
under the melody; other times it breathes alongside it. The work's mood ranges
from quiet reflection, through growing optimism, to profound exaltation.
Historical Background
The Shenandoah Valley and the Shenandoah River are located in Virginia. There is
disagreement among historians concerning the origins of their names. Some claim
that the river and valley were named in the 1750's by the Cherokee as a friendly
tribute to a visiting Iroquois Chief named Skenandoah. Others suggest that the
region was named not by the Cherokee, but by the Senedo Indians of Virginia
Valley. In the Senedo tradition, Shenandoah means "Daughter of the Moon," and
bears no relation to the Iroquois Chief Skenandoah.
The origins of the folksong are equally obscure, but all date to the 19th century. It
has been attributed variously to a coal miner in Pennsylvania, to a young protg of
Stephen Foster, and to a housewife in Lexington, Kentucky. Many variants on the
melody and text have been handed down through the years, the most popular telling
the story of an early settler's love for a Native American woman.
Summon The Heroes

The 1996 Summer Games of the XXVI Olympiad, held in Atlanta,
Georgia, USA, marked the centennial of the modern Olympic
Games as conceived by Baron Pierre de Couberin. John Williams
wrote Summon The Heroes as the Official Theme of the Olympiad.
The five musical sections of the composition relate the
progression of events, physical efforts, and emotional feelings that
mark such an competition. A heroic brass Fanfare marks the
official opening ceremonies. The significance of each athletes
long training and sacrifice is acknowledged in a
solemn Prologue played by a solo trumpet. Williams dedicated this
composition to Tim Morrison, Principal Trumpet of the Boston Pops
Orchestra. The Foothill Symphonic Winds Tim Swensen performs
this solo with pure tone and lyric quality. The ensemble enters
with excitement as the Flags introduce the athletes of the many

nations. The Contest starts softly as the athlete collects thoughts
and inner strength and enters the struggle of the competition
accompanied by the cheering of the spectators. Finally, the
majestic Parade presents the heroes of the events.
Le Carnaval des Animaux - Grande Fantaisie Zologique ("Het Carnaval der Dieren")
uit 1886 is een 14-delige compositie voor ensemble of klein orkest van de
Franse componistCamille Saint-Sans (1835-1921).
Saint-Sans beeldt in de compositie op een paar stukken na een aantal dieren uit. Het zijn
voornamelijk de karakteristieke eigenschappen van de dieren die, een beetje spottend maar
soms ook zeer treffend, weergegeven worden.
Saint-Sans schreef het werk puur en alleen voor het plezier van zichzelf en zijn vrienden.
Tijdens zijn leven werd het stuk slechts n keer voorgedragen. Dit binnen de privsfeer. SaintSans stond publicatie van het werk tijdens zijn leven niet toe. De waarschijnlijke reden is dat
Saint-Sans een dergelijk satirisch en humorvol stuk niet vond passen bij een componist op het
hoogtepunt van zijn carrire. Het werk bleef bijna 30 jaar liggen en werd pas in 1922 voor het
eerst uitgegeven. In de loop der tijd won het stuk enorm aan populariteit.
ARABESQUE
Commissioned by the Indiana Bandmasters Association for the 2008 All-State High School Honor Band, this
stunning work from the pen of Samuel Hazo is a tour de force of Middle Eastern sounds for the contemporary
wind band. From delicate and sensual soloistic writing to full-blown ensemble passages with rapid fire tutti
rhythms and frenzied percussion, here is a rewarding piece with drama and depth that will be the high point of any
concert or festival program. Period! Dur: 6:00 (Grade 5)
Mexican Pictures
our band will love getting acquainted with Mexican Pictures, a suite in four movements based on Mexican folk
music. The first movement, El Butaquito, is based on a very lively folk-song of the same name and is
characterised by its many contrasting rhythms. The second movement, Romance Mejicano, creates a peaceful
and romantic atmosphere. The title of the third movement, Ballaviejo, means 'Antique Dance', in which the word
antique refers to the rhythms that were taken to America by Africa's black population. La Charreada, the final
movement, depicts the popular Mexican Rodeo, where the action in the arena is usually supported by
instrumental ensembles, the so-called 'Mariacchi'.
Moeilijkheidsgraad: 6
Dance no2
Dmitry Shostakovich
Dmitri Shostakovich was born in St Petersburg on the 25th September 1906. From his earliest years
his prodigious musical talent was recognised. He entered the Leningrad Conservatory at the age of 13
and completed his studies at the age of 19. His graduation piece was his first symphony, and its
immediate success established him in the forefront of Soviet composers. It proved to be an
uncomfortable position since his originality put him at odds with the authorities. Outwardly they wanted
Russian art to glorify the moral and social values of the revolution. Inwardly they were afraid of any
intellectuals whose ideas might challenge their right to power. Joseph Stalin seemed to have a
particular fascination for the work of Shostakovich, and even telephoned him from time to time, no
doubt causing considerable anxiety to the composer. Little tolerance was afforded to dissident
intellectuals of the time; arrest and transportation to the labour camps was a regular occurrence.
The conflict between Shostakovich and the authorities came close to crisis with the composition of his
brilliant fourth symphony. In 1935 the newspaper Pravda wrote an attack of Shostakovich describing
his work as muddle instead of music. Despite this he pressed on with the composition completing the
work in 1936. The premiere was set to take place on the 30th December 1936 in Leningrad, however
Shostakovich withdrew the work during rehearsals claiming that he was not satisfied with the finale.
The finale was not revised, and the real reason for the withdrawal of the symphony was never
revealed. Perhaps Shostakovich was becoming aware of the impending great terror that Stalin was
to inflict on his opponents. The fourth symphony was not performed until 1961.
It was against this background that he composed many of his most enduring masterpieces including
the fifth symphony (1937), which bore the ironic subtitle A true Soviets reply to just criticism, and the
second jazz suite (1938). Despite its title, the suite is not particularly based on jazz idioms. It is written
in the popular light orchestra style of the thirties. The second waltz was an immediate success and has
remained one of his most enduring and popular short compositions. It is in ternary form (ABA). The
outer sections are based on a minor mode tune of a particularly haunting beauty, which is passed
around the players and punctuated with a humorous toy soldier march.
Shostakovichs last years were dogged by poor health. In 1965, he was diagnosed with polio. In 1970
and 1971 he suffered heart attacks that further impacted his health and his mental concentration. He
also suffered from a series of broken limbs after falling. Despite these problems he continued working
and completing his 14th and 15th symphonies. He died in Moscow of lung cancer on August 9, 1975.
The second waltz from the second dance suite was performed by winds of the Portobello orchestra on
the 15th December 2007. The conductor was Anthony Weeden.
"Misty" is a jazz standard written in 1954 by the pianist Erroll Garner.

Originally composed as an instrumental following the traditional 32-bar format and first recorded
for Garner's 1955 album Contrasts, the tune was later paired with lyrics by Johnny Burke and
became the signature song ofJohnny Mathis, appearing on his 1959 album Heavenly and
reaching #12 on the U.S. Pop Singles chart later that year.

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SHENANDOAH

Summon The Heroes

with excitement as the Flags introduce the athletes of the many

"Misty" is a jazz standard written in 1954 by the pianist Erroll Garner.

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