Rise of the Ancients

Description

Rise of the Ancients
Composed by Ryan Meeboer (b. 1978)
for Two Flutes and Two Bb Clarinets
Published by Eighth Note Publications
Includes score and parts

Ancient civilizations represent many things about life as we know it today: power, beauty, intelligence and ambition. This piece reflects all of these qualities, from the driving force of the ancient armies, to the elegance of ancient architecture.
Rise of the Ancients opens with a driving feel under a mysterious melody. As it slowly introduces parts, the piece moves into some powerful chords, before introducing the main melody at measure 11. The opening feel returns at measure 19 and also introduces a counter melody. The melodies should be balanced, as they interact with each other, and both should not be overpowered by the strong accompaniment.
At measure 27, heavy chords are played by the group, with a simple melody played on top. Although only one instrument is playing the melody, it must imitate the strength of the chords played by the rest of the group. This feel continues into measure 35, as the opening melody returns.
Measure 43 through 53 are the most difficult, as they consistently explore the opposite ends of the dynamic range. Be careful that the strong chords are not overblown, and the tone is good in the softer sections.
The contrasting section from measure 53 to 89 was composed to have a cut time feel.
The piece ends by reintroducing some of the opening material, with some orchestral changes, and slowly builds to a dramatic climax in the final measures of the piece.