Orchestra / 10′ / Difficulty: Medium-Easy / 2023
Modeled off of the plot device, Hero’s Journey takes the listener through a vast soundscape, exploring different timbres and styles to reflect a journey being taken. From a very static introduction to a tumultuous struggle, listen for the various stages of the plot throughout the work.
We begin by meeting our hero living their life in their little world. A disturbance occurs, forcing the hero out of what’s comfortable and into the unknown. The hero has many trials and tribulations to face, culminating in a boss fight that (usually) ends poorly. The mentor has his (or her!) moment, picking up and dusting our hero off, reading them to fight again. The hero meets their foe one more time, this time emerging triumphant, and returns to their homeland with newfound skills, talents, and friendships made along the way.
Instrumentation
- Piccolo
- 2 Flutes
- 2 Oboes
- English Horn
- 2 Clarinets
- Bass Clarinet
- 2 Bassoons
- 4 Horns in F
- 3 Trumpets in Bb
- 3 Trombones (2 Tenor + Bass)
- Tuba
- Timpani
- 4 Percussionists:
- Percussion 1: Mallet Percussion (Chimes, Marimba, Glockenspiel, Crotales)
- Percussion 2: Snare Drum, Tom-toms (4), Cymbal, Triangle
- Percussion 3: Wind Chimes, Bass Drum
- Percussion 4: Tambourine, Triangle, Suspended Cymbal, Anvil
- Harp
- Celesta
- Violin I
- Violin II
- Viola
- Cello
- Bass