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A duet consisting of marimba and basoon begin this orchestral composition. The marimba provides the basic harmonic texture that is to serve as the underlying foundation for the rest of the work. The bassoon presents the main melodic theme that serves as a constant throughout the composition. After the first eight bars are complete, many new lines of developmental melody and counterpoint are introduced. For the next six bars, the french horns take the melodic theme and present their own version of it, as a lone oboe hints at a new motive that will soon be used in the piece. A clarinet in the lower register joins the oboe, and the two present this new motive in harmony that is basically a very slow trill between two adjacent tones. This new motive is symbolic of the crystal river. A trombone replaces the oboe and joins the clarinet with this flowing figure as the french horns present another version of the theme in a high register. As this musical situation continues, the bassoon enters the fray and presents yet another version of the theme.
Suddenly, at bar 27, the pizzicato viononcellos and bass viols enter the texture along with the triangle and provide a rhythmic foundation for the rest of the work. At this point in the composition, the wooden flute begins to perform a duet with the bassoon as each plays with the melodic theme. Each instrument tends to plays a short series of notes while the other instrument is busy sustaining a long tone. Several bars later, the clarinet enters and the duet becomes a trio. Several bars after this entrance, the french horn section enters and plays a few long tones as the other three instruments continue their three-part contrapuntal maneuvers with the melodic theme. The piece then ends with a single strike of the Eastern gong.
The marimba is the elven tribe that resides within the enchanted forest. The various pieces of wood on the marimba are the individual citizens of the elven town. They all work together in peaceful balance with the trees and creatures of the forest. The bassoon is the Elder Magus of the elven tribe. The oboe is the first born of the Elder Magus and is learning the skills of magic from his father. The French horn section is the village of men who live in the valley next to the forest. The crystal river that runs through the forest continues from the forest and enters the valley below and flows through the middle of the village where the men live. The trombone is a tracker from the village who guides its citizens through the forest, so that they may better understand the ways of its nature. The clarinet is the elven wife of the tracker who guides the elves through the valley and helps them better understand its natural ways. The men and elves live in peace. The wooden flute is the Lady Dryad (the leader of the lady tree spirits), the violoncellos and bass viols are the mighty trees of the forest, and the triangle is the Prince, who is a chosen one who must lead all of the inhabitants of the enchanted realms into the new era of history that is about to begin.
At the beginning of the scene, the Elder Magus (bassoon) announces to the elven village (marimba) that the Prince (triangle) is to visit the forest. The men of the village (horns) confirm this announcement, and the details are exchanged between the two villages with the aid of the tracker (trombone) and his elven wife (clarinet), who enforce the message of the son of the Elder Magus (oboe) that states that the crystal river is tie that binds the men with the elves. Suddenly, at bar 27, the trees of the forest (low pizzicato strings) call everyone to attention because the Prince has entered the forest. The Elder Magus is now joined by the Lady Dryad (wooden flute) and the two begin their fellowship with the Prince. The elven maiden who is the wife of the tracker soon joins in the fellowship and the men of the village announce their approval of the situation.
The gong at the end of the work is the arrival of the Princess Maiden chosen to be the life-parter of the Prince...
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