Sunlight on the Glacier

*Contemporary Australian Composition* for recorder quintet.

1. Sunlight on the Glacier

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The Recorder Magazine Autumn/Fall 2019

Sheet Music Reviews

Lance Eccles - Sunlight on the Glacier - SATTGb

Orpheus Music OMP268

This contemporary piece by Lance Eccles creates the musical image of reflections of bright sunlight, using high chromatic lines in the soprano and alto against the acoustically low shimmering of chromatic lines in the great bass. 

The soprano outlines the theme, followed by two variations, then repeats the original theme and expands it. At the end of a section about one-third of the way through, where the bass chromatic eighths, the chromatic lines move up through the other parts into the top range of the alto and soprano. The soprano returns to the first theme, repeating it before bringing back the second theme, the great bass plays short chromatic passages underneath. 

The piece ends with the top four lines holding long notes, and a final chromatic scale from the great bass. 

Both the soprano and the alto lines stay high in their range, with the soprano having to produce high C several times, and the alto playing high Eb. The alto line supports the soprano line, sometimes imitating and responding to the soprano. The tenor parts are the simplest, while the great bass line is challenging with its sections of chromatic passages. 

The playing group found to hard to keep up with the recommended tempo of .I=110 beats per minute, because of the large number of accidentals. However the work would sound better at that speed. 

This is an abstract and challenging piece for a high intermediate group. While it has some interesting aspects we did not find it appealing enough  to invest the work it would require. 

 Review written by Bruce Calvin

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_Score 6 pp. Parts 2 pp._