Sambello

Description

The best description of this composition was written by Danny Lyons:

 Just as Sambello the title is a combination of two words – Samba and handbell – Sambello the piece is a combination of two time signatures: 7/8 and 4/4. The piece is not a samba, but that word kept coming to mind because I could envision two dancers working their way through it. The piece is dance music in a way because of the regularity of the change from 7/8 to 4/4; it is something you can count on and can be followed along with dance steps even in 7/8 time.

Even if no one is dancing, the piece is a pyramid built with humble beginnings. It builds to a calm plateau with a chime section in straight 4/4 time, then another build to a massive middle section with all hands on deck and all guns blazing, followed by a moribund but spritely ending. The movement of three measures of 7/8 followed by one measure of 4/4 throughout most of the piece lends a sense of urgency and anticipation followed by a short space of calm every four measures. The serene middle section on chimes is a light breeze guiding along a lone sailboat on a flat sea followed by a build to the apex and explosion, then a gradual decline to a happy ending.

This is a delightful, happy, engaging piece perfect for concert!

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