La Vita, Part One

by Yasuhide Ito, arr. by Nikk Pilato

Yasuhide Ito’s Symphony No. 1, La Vita, is a challenging work in many aspects, not the least of which is his unconventional harmonic language, blending Western and Eastern tonality effortlessly. This arrangement focuses on the first movement of Ito's work, and is excellent as an opener, with pounding battery and sideline percussion setting the stage.

One of the most challenging aspects of this work is his use of the neutral key score…in other words, no use of key signature (although the score is not in C). This tends to force many more sharps than flats in the particular mode Ito chose, which seems to be a struggle for many young players. I feel that not only can La Vita be a powerful and exciting show; it can also serve to teach musical lessons. Young musicians will often balk at the use of sharp notes; this is a chance to embrace the concept of enharmonics. Once young band students realize that a D# = Eb and a G# = Ab, etc., the music-making process falls into place. This exciting and fast-paced composition is an advanced marching show arrangement, and should only be tackled by bands with plenty of great musicians with a willingness to work. This arrangement was commissioned by the J.P. Taravella High School Marching Trojans; Coral Springs, Florida for their 2004 Marching Season.

These arrangements are used by Permission of Bravo Music Inc.

For an audio sample (MIDI), please click  

Details

Catalog#: NN04-003
Duration: 4:00
Difficulty: Advanced

AVAILABLE AS A FULL SHOW

Instrumentation:

Flute/Piccolo
Clarinet I-II-III
Alto Sax I-II
Tenor Sax
Trumpet I-II-III
Mellophone I-II
Tenor I-II-III (includes Trombone and Euphonium)
Basses
Timpani
Mallets

FULL SET: $150.00 (includes shipping)

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