The Tempest

Cliff Eidelman

T h e Tempes st Tone Poem ( B a s e d o n S h akespe ea re’s play )

for Symphony Orchestra

Cliff Notes Publishing (BMI)

The first recording of The Tempest was given by The Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted by the composer in 1997.

Duration: 16:34

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Š 1996 by Cliff Eidelman First published in 1996 by Cliff Notes Publishing 452 19th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90402

The Tempest Tone Poem

Brief Synopsis “The Tempest” is sixteen minutes. The story is set over 3,500 years ago on a mythical island near Jerusalem.

The first movement begins with a sudden storm at sea brought about by the main character and magician, Prospero. The movement ends with a soft cello melody as the ship safely settles onto the island. The high flute and harp introduce Prospero’s angle servant Ariel, who leads shipwrecked Ferdinand to Prospero, leaving the rest of the crew to deal with their own fate.

The quick paced trumpets start the second movement. In this section, an impression of interaction occurs between many of the characters and Prospero. The sudden forceful interruptions played by the trombones and trumpets symbolize Prospero using his magic to change the course of action in order to serve his main ambition, marrying his daughter Miranda to Ferdinand. The French horn theme characterizes Prospero as he heroically comes closer to his dream. This movement ends as Prospero tests Ferdinand’s love for Miranda through tedious labor tasks.

Soft strings start off the final movement as the marriage and love of Ferdinand and Miranda is celebrated.

Toward the end, the low trombones and bassoons remind the couple that darkness still lurks even though all seems so perfect. Prospero blissfully watches Miranda as she sails off into the sunset with Ferdinand.

Cliff Eidelman

Performance Notes Regarding bars: 10, 11, 17, 24, 25, 30, 31, 36, 37, 47, and 48 the score is consistently notated in eighths (6/8 and 12/8). For simplicity of performance, certain player’s parts with melodic material are notated in quarters (2/4 and 4/4).

TRANSPOSED SCORE

INSTRUMENTATION Flute, Bass Flute Flute, Bass Flute Flute, Bass Flute, Piccolo Oboe Oboe English Horn Bb Clarinet Bb Clarinet Bb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Contra Bass Clarinet Bassoon Bassoon Bassoon, Contra-Bassoon 4 French Horns 3 Trumpets in Bb 2 Tenor Trombones Bass Trombone Tuba 3 Percussion: Suspended Cymbal, Bass Drum, Vibes, Bass Vibes, Glockenspiel Tam-Tam, Crotales Timpani/Tubular Bells Harp Piano Celesta 14 12 10 8 6

1st Violins 2nd Violins Violas Cellos Basses