Martin Ellerby

Duration: c. 21 minutes

 

Audio:

 

 

 

Publisher: STUDIO MUSIC COMPANY

 

Programme Notes:

THE LEGEND OF THE 'FLYING DUTCHMAN' is cast in the form of a Sinfonia Dramatica, following very closely the structure and plot as created by Richard Wagner in his famous opera of the same name. The work is cast in the form of an overture and three acts. As in an opera there are moments of drama, tension and relaxation, solos, duos, trios and full band tuttis (quasi choruses). There are several of what can be described as leitmotifs – recurring ideas associated with either characters or moods within the story. Therefore there are inevitably some swift changes in style and mood from time to time and this is the challenge for the conductor: to bind it into a convincing whole. All the various subtitles within each act are taken from the opening lines of the Wagner text. The only music of Wagner that is incorporated into this work is the famous horn-call motif and I have used this cell as a recurring feature throughout the piece. It will help lend an air of familiarity to this later more popular style approach to the drama. Also I have added to the work a subtitled finale called the The Ascent to Heaven – this is where all the contrasting strands have been leading towards and is in fact an elongated procession towards the heavenly spheres.

 

 

OVERTURE

 

ACT ONE

 

1: YOHOO! HOLLAHO! (Introduction)

 

2: ON THE WINGS OF THE STORM FROM DISTANT LANDS (Scene)

 

3: THE TIME HAS COME (Aria)

 

4: HEY! STEERSMAN! STEERSMAN! (Scene)

 

5: FAR OVER SEAS.  SO LONG THE STORM IS BLOWING (Finale)

 

 

ACT TWO

 

A: INTRODUCTION

 

1: TWIRL AND WHIRL, MY SPINDLE, GAILY! (Scene)

 

2: YOHOHO! AND HAST THOU SEEN THE PHANTOM SHIP (Ballad)

 

3: STAY, SENTA! STAY FOR ONE SHORT MOMENT! (Duet)

 

4: MY CHILD! IS THIS THE WAY YOU GREET ME (Ritornello)

 

5: WILT THOU NOT GIVE A HEARTY WELCOME TO THE STRANGER? (Scene)

 

6: HOW LIKE THE VOICE OF LONG-FORGOTTEN AGES (Duet)

 

7: FORGIVE ME! IF I YOUR TENDER TALK DESTROY! (Finale)

 

 

ACT THREE

 

A: ENTR’ACTE

 

1: STEERSMAN, LEAVE THE WATCH! STEERSMAN, COME AWAY! (Scene)

 

2: WHAT HAST THOU TOLD ME, HEAVENS! WHAT DO I SEE! (Aria)

 

3: DOST THOU NO MORE REMEMBER THAT SWEET HOUR (Cavatine)

 

4: AH! FALSE ONE! LOST, FOREVER! LOST IS MY HOPE OF HEAVEN!  (Ritornello)

 

5: POSTLUDE: THE ASCENT TO HEAVEN (Grand Finale)

 

Instrumentation:

Bb Soprano Saxophones 1.2, Eb Alto Saxophones 1.2, Bb Tenor Saxophones 1.2, Eb Baritone Saxophone,

Bb Flugel Horns 1.2.3, F Horns 1.2.3.4, Eb Trumpet, Bb Trumpets 1.2.3, 

Trombones 1.2, Bass Trombone, Bb Baritone Horn, Euphonium, Eb Basses, Bb Basses,

Harp,

Timpani, Percussion 1.2.3.4.5.6

 

Percussion Requirements:

TBC

 

Performance Notes:

 

Available Recordings: