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Title	Ancient Ruins, The (The Wonders of the World)
Article no.	4115783
Category	Concert/wind/brass band
Subcategory	Variable wind instruments
Instrumentation	Ha (concert/wind band); / (or); Flexi (variable instrumentation); (4)
Instrumentation/info	4Flexi (4part flexible instrumentation); Perc (percussion instrument)
Format	PrtStm (full score and parts)
Country of publication	Netherlands (nl)
Publisher *	Molenaar Edition
Publisher's article no. *	MOL 013641060
Series title	Easy Flex 4 Series
Year of publication	2020
Price	click here
Composer	Jones, Dean
Difficulty level	2
Duration	6:30
Additional info/contents	The concept of this piece is to create contrasting musical portraits of three historical places. The musical tour begins with an exciting opening; The Great Wall of China. This is followed by the feeling of being below sea level in "The Lost City of Atlantis". Finally, the piece moves west to the "Giants Causeway" on the Northern Irish coast. With open fifths and some melodic and harmonic sequences often characteristic of Irish music, there are many surprises and pleasures for audience and players alike! (© Molenaar)
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Sample score *	click here
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Programme notes *: Dean Jones’ Composition “The Ancient Ruins (The Wonders of the World)” – A Musical Journey of Discovery for Youth Wind Orchestra Dean Jones’ composition “The Ancient Ruins (The Wonders of the World)” is a versatile work for youth wind orchestras with variable instrumentation starting at four parts and percussion. With a performance duration of approximately six and a half minutes, the piece offers a musical exploration of three famous historical sites: the Great Wall of China, the sunken city of Atlantis, and the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. The work is divided into three contrasting movements, each with its own distinct character and musical style. It is particularly suitable for young ensembles due to its technical accessibility and appealing sound. • Structure and Musical Features The work is clearly structured and offers musical variety. The first movement, “The Great Wall of China,” is in 3/4 time and has an Andante tempo of 80 beats per minute. Here, calm, flowing melodies reminiscent of traditional Asian music and characterized by pentatonic influences predominate. The dynamic contrasts of this movement musically depict the vastness and majesty of the Great Wall of China. For young musicians, this movement offers the opportunity to practice articulation, phrasing, and dynamic shaping within an ensemble. The second movement, "The Lost City of Atlantis," is in 4/4 time and, with an Andante tempo of 72/4, is slower and more atmospheric. The legato passages in the wind instruments evoke underwater movements, while percussive effects symbolize the "sinking" and depth of the sea. Harmonic tensions, created through altered chords and chromaticism, lend the movement a mysterious mood. This piece fosters in young musicians a sense of tone color and harmonic relationships, as well as interplay with percussion. The third movement, "The Giant's Causeway," begins in 4/4 time with an Andante tempo of 90 beats per minute and gradually transitions to 6/8 and 3/8 time, increasing in tempo to 120 beats per minute. This movement captivates with its rhythmic variety and energy. Driving rhythms, reminiscent of the hexagonal basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway, along with syncopated passages, instill in the ensemble players a sense of metric flexibility. The sonic density created by the combination of wind instruments and percussion makes this movement particularly vibrant. It is ideally suited for practicing rhythmic precision, tempo changes, and ensemble technique. • Instrumentation and Educational Value The instrumentation of "The Ancient Ruins" is variable and can be played with as few as four parts plus percussion, making the work especially versatile for youth wind orchestras. The score is available in various versions, including Brass Band, Fanfare, and Concert Band/Flex, allowing the work to be adapted to the specific needs of the ensemble. The piece's educational value lies in its technical accessibility, enabling even less experienced musicians to perform successfully. At the same time, the musical diversity of the three movements offers different styles that foster the musical development of young musicians. The variable instrumentation and clear structure of the work also strengthen ensemble playing and communication within the orchestra. • With *“The Ancient Ruins”*, Dean Jones has created a varied and sonically appealing composition that challenges young wind orchestras both musically and technically without overwhelming them. The combination of historical themes with musical creativity makes the work a valuable addition to concert programs and educational projects. Its flexible instrumentation and clear structure make it ideal for working with young people while also providing a compelling concert experience. • Text: © musicainfo.net (KI) Quellen/Sources: Molenaar: The Ancient Ruins ---------- Wikipedia: Chinesische Mauer Wikipedia: Atlantis Giant’s Causeway Tags: Ancient Cultures, Foreign countries and places of interest Buildings and Architecture Secrets of the Seas Nature and beauties of the world travels

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	Format
	Ancient Ruins, The (The Wonders of the World) (concert/wind band; or; variable instrumentation; (4)), full score and parts
	Ancient Ruins, The (The Wonders of the World) (concert/wind band; or; variable instrumentation; (4)), full score

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