Apollo's Chariot (Flex Band)
You'll want to grab the reins of the nearest chariot when you experience the action of this wonderfully descriptive work. Thundering percussion provides the fuel throughout, even though the parts are well within the playing abilities of this level. Well-written and effectively scored, it will have younger groups sounding much more developed and mature.
Medium: 5-Part Flex Band
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Composed: 2007 / 2021
Duration: 3:30
Difficulty: Grade 2.5
Instrumentation
Transposed Score (showing all transposed parts)
Condensed Score (only "C" parts)
Adaptable Parts
(2 copies of each of all parts for each listed instrument)
Part 1: Flute, Oboe, B-flat Clarinet/Trumpet
Part 2: B-flat Clarinet/Trumpet, E-flat Alto Saxophone
Part 3: B-flat Clarinet/Trumpet, E-flat Alto Saxophone, F Horn
Part 4: B-flat Tenor Saxophone/Bass Clarinet/Baritone TC, F Horn, Trombone/Euphonium/Bassoon
Part 5: B-flat Bass Clarinet, E-flat Baritone Saxophone, Trombone/Euphonium/Bassoon, Tuba, Double Bass
Percussion Parts (100% optional)
Timpani (3 drums)
Percussion 1: Bells, Xylophone
Percussion 2 [2 players]: Snare Drum, Triangle, Medium Concert Tom, Bass Drum
Percussion 3: Suspended Cymbal, Woodblock, Tam-Tam, Tambourine
Program Notes
Apollo, the Greek god of prophesy, music, and healing, served as the inspiration for Apollo’s Chariot. One of his daily tasks was to harness his chariot with four horses and drive the sun across the sky. Apollo was also a great warrior, bringing down the mighty Achilles with one of his arrows. For me, these two images set the stage for a dramatic work, with bold (and sometimes dissonant) harmonies and driving rhythms throughout. As the god of music, Apollo was known for playing the lyre and the lute. This more sensitive side of Apollo is represented in the lyricism of the peaceful ballad section at rehearsal m. 55. The peace is overcome by war at rehearsal m. 80, which drives to the exciting conclusion.
ABOUT THE SERIES
The SpectraFlex Series for adaptable wind band offers flexibility with pieces across all grade levels, featuring traditional high-to-low scoring with 5 or 6 parts and optional percussion. Each part is transposed and playable by a multitude of wind or keyboard percussion instruments while maintaining the spectrum of sound we have grown to love about the wind band.
