Prelude and Tango
Drake Mabry
About this work:
Drake Mabry – Prelude and Tango – Program notes
Prelude and Tango for orchestra was commissioned in 2008 by the Vermont Youth Orchestra, Troy Peters, director. It was premiered and performed during the orchestra's summer 2009 tour of Quebec and France.
The work begins with a slow and mysterious Prelude which features melodic fragments which will later be heard in their entirety during the tango. These are heard over a quiet undulating background tapestry.
The Tango (in the Nuevo Tango style invented by Astor Piazzolla) highlights every family of orchestra instruments in a series of diverse variations which culminate in a roof raising ending. All the instrumental families have their spotlight: woodwinds, brass, percussion and strings.
Video and audio performances of this piece are available on YouTube and at www.myspace.com/drakemabry.
Version: orchestra
Year composed: 2009
Duration: 00:08:30
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Standard Orchestra
Instrumentation: 3 Flute, 3 Oboe, 3 Clarinet, 3 Bassoon, 4 Horn in F, 3 Trumpet, 3 Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 1 Percussion (General), 1 Xylophone, 1 Vibraphone, 1 Piano, 44 Strings (General), 1 Harp
Instrumentation notes: 3333 4331 pno., hp., timp., perc. (3), str. 14,12,10,8,4