Opus M for Oboe & String Orchestra
Opus M is a two-movement piece for oboe and string orchestra, also arranged for oboe and piano. It is intended for younger oboists, with a difficulty level of late high school and beyond, but it is fun for anyone to play. The composing of Opus M hearkens back to my daughter’s reading at age 8 to 10 of the Redwall series by the British author, Brian Jacques (1939-2011). I composed this with an older synthesizer over 15 years ago and decided to update it in 2015 using the Vienna Symphonic Library sound samples which include a very authentic oboe and fine string sounds.
In one of Jacques’ books, the youngest child Mattimeo is an “infant” at the time his clan are driven from their homes and their lands. They live in exile for years with little hope (reflected in the slow movement), until Mattimeo grows up and becomes the heroic figure who leads the insurgence into battle to regain their land. What I have not mentioned is that these stories are about mice! Their enemies are rats, stoats, weasels, etc. Jacques’ many books chronicle the food, manners and customs of the animal characters and their world in great detail, and that includes the appearance of high-functioning leaders, battles, heroic deeds and all the rest.
Thus, the “M” in Opus M stands for Mattimeo and the two movements, “Exile” and “March,” musically reflect the plot of the story! So, the slow movement reflects the pain of loss and the sense of being exiled from home with the oboe quite expressive. The March is a jaunty celebration of the energy of the return with some episodic slower sections and a short cadenza.
Form:
I. Exile Andantino: A B A
II. March Allegretto: A B C cadenza A B coda
Duration:
I. Exile Andantino: 4:00
II. March Allegretto: 3:45
Total: 7:50
Instrumentation: Solo Oboe, Strings
In one of Jacques’ books, the youngest child Mattimeo is an “infant” at the time his clan are driven from their homes and their lands. They live in exile for years with little hope (reflected in the slow movement), until Mattimeo grows up and becomes the heroic figure who leads the insurgence into battle to regain their land. What I have not mentioned is that these stories are about mice! Their enemies are rats, stoats, weasels, etc. Jacques’ many books chronicle the food, manners and customs of the animal characters and their world in great detail, and that includes the appearance of high-functioning leaders, battles, heroic deeds and all the rest.
Thus, the “M” in Opus M stands for Mattimeo and the two movements, “Exile” and “March,” musically reflect the plot of the story! So, the slow movement reflects the pain of loss and the sense of being exiled from home with the oboe quite expressive. The March is a jaunty celebration of the energy of the return with some episodic slower sections and a short cadenza.
Form:
I. Exile Andantino: A B A
II. March Allegretto: A B C cadenza A B coda
Duration:
I. Exile Andantino: 4:00
II. March Allegretto: 3:45
Total: 7:50
Instrumentation: Solo Oboe, Strings