Viva La Plantoons is a whimsical piece for string ensemble. Robert Jager’s Third Suite inspired the piece, (but couldn’t resemble it less). Jager’s use of alternating meter changes (especially in the March) without the piece sounding disjunct was the characteristic that Viva La Plantoons also tries to convey. The piece alternates between measures of 6/8 + 2/4 followed by measures of 6/8 + 3/4. The orchestra is almost wholly doubled with every section having a part 1 and part 2 except for Bass. One half of the ensemble is often consonant, while the other half isn’t necessarily dissonant, but has harmony based on 4ths. The piece always tries to juxtapose highly rhythmic pizzicato figures over a simplistic flowing melody.
Form: Measures 1-8: an introduction of several 2 bar call fragments which in total, create an overall composite melody.
Measures 9-24: a repeated flowing A section with a rhythmic pizzicato harmony of 3rd and 4ths.
Measures 25-32: a B section that acts as the answer to the A section.
Measures 33-36: a transition that is loosely based on the introductory material.
Measures 37-52: the A and B material in a new key and revoiced in viola and cello. Measures 53-60 the introduction material returns but this time as a true transition.
Measures 61-68 the B section returns fully arco as a Coda.
Skills
Meters: 6/8 + 2/4, 6/8 + 3/4
Keys: A Major, C Major
Techniques:
Alternating meter changes
Pizzicato
Hemiola
Instrumentation
Violin I
Violin II
Viola I
Viola II
Cello I
Cello II
Bass