Professor Wigstein's Amazing Melody Machine
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Product ID: HE2 SO 22332
By Richard Meyer
Publisher:
Highland Etling
Arranger:
orig.
Series:
The Highland/Etling String Orchestra Series
Line Up:
String Orchestra
Duration:
4:20
Set & Score
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About this item
This fun and original piece for string orchestra introduces the technique of "tone painting." It depicts inventor Professor Wigstein's proud creation, a machine that plays some of the world's most famous melodies. The introduction portrays the ceremonious (and rather pompous) unveiling of the amazing machine. With four turns of its crank, the machine comes to life, grinding and churning as it prepares to produce a melody. "Ode to Joy" is heard, played pizzicato by the entire orchestra, and appropriately accompanied by generic "machine" sounds (ratchet and bell). Soon, the machine winds down, and the melody comes to a halt. Once again, the machine is cranked, and begins working at another tune; "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" is heard. The machine winds down again, only to be cranked up a third time. The melody to Offenbach's "Can-Can" emerges. Midway through the tune, however, something goes wrong with the machine. Fragments of all three melodies are heard (in a variety of clashing keys) as the machine goes out of control, eventually exploding. A few hisses, and some dying moans are emitted. Finally, Chopin's "Funeral March" is heard as the machine plays its own death knoll, dying with a final soft hiss.
Instrumentation
Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3, Viola, Cello, Bass)
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Composer
Richard Meyer
Richard Meyer received his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Los Angeles and has taught middle school and high school instrumental music for over 16 years. He currently conducts the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Meyer has had many works published for band and orchestra including Celebration, which won the National School Orchestra Association composition contest, and Geometric Dances, which won the Texas Orchestra Directors composition contest. In 1994, he received the Outstanding Music Educator Award from the Pasadena Area Youth Music Council, and this year received the Pasadena Arts Council Gold Crown Award for Performing Arts.
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