Format: Conductor Score & Parts
Contributors: By Kathryn Griesinger
Series: Highland String Orchestra
Level: 2
Grade: (2)
Written specifically with intermediate students in mind, Waterfalls by Kathryn Griesinger offers a joyful major melody that captures the carefree cascading of a sparkling waterfall. With a cheerful D Major tonal center, the music explores modal shifts by way of the flattened 7th as the melody is passed from section to section. Dynamics swell and recede and rhythmic fragments in low strings represent the churning movement of undercurrents as lyrical, slurred phrases flow above. The use of C-natural offers students opportunities to practice low-2 finger patterns, and even a little open C string on the cello. Modulating briefly for a low string melody, the D.C. al Coda structure brings the primary theme back again for a jubilant finale.