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REHEARSAL NOTES
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Characters in the Score At first perusal, it will strike you that few ‘musical’ terms used. Instead, there is a reference to various characters. Five to be exact:
“A lonely, hungry, no-name cat.” Each of the cats I have ever owned either entered my life as a stray, or were obtained from the RSPCA. When a cat first comes into your life from a shelter, they are scared and do their utmost to shower you with their love and gratitude. The opening melody as stated in the tenor was written to reflect this fragile state and hence begin the journey.
“Machiavellian cat.” “Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for everyone can see and few can feel. Everyone sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are.” Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527)
Niccolò Machiavelli was a controversial Italian writer, critic, atheist and statesman. To be Machiavellian is to be deceptive, cunning and hold little regard for others. Those who have not lived with a cat, or taken the time to befriend a feline often think of cats as selfish, dishonourable creatures with little regard for anyone other than themselves. (Which is, of course, preposterous!)
“The cat who dreams like Alice.” “Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.” Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Alice explored the wildest worlds in her dreams as part of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ by Lewis Carroll. In studying the life of cats, they spend much of their time sleeping; hence it simply couldn’t be a piece about cats without a ‘dream’ section. Cats do indeed dream, and it is believed they have two main sleep states with one containing Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. The brain waves of a cat look almost identical to that of a human during REM sleep and it is a very busy time for brain activity. This section is explored with all four saxophone quartet members playing Soprano Saxophone plus two vibraphone parts. PLEASE do not replace a vibraphone part with anything else – homogeny of timbre is vital during this section and it won’t be achieved if either of the parts is played on another instrument. Thank you! It is also suggested that the Vibraphones are placed at the very front of the ensemble so that they are clearly audible during this section.
“Nimrod, the hunting cat.” The name Nimrod comes from the Hebrew verb marad, meaning “rebel.” In Genesis 10:8-11 of the Old Testament we learn that “Nimrod” established a kingdom. He was described as a fierce hunter “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.” The reference here is to the cat who suddenly jumps into a sprint during a hunt. Any cat person knows this can be anything from a bird, a listless Autumn leaf or even one of your household shoes!
“Cat. Shaken, not stirred.” The famous character whom we know now as James Bond was created by Ian Fleming. I make this cryptic reference as I imagine the cat who struts their stuff after a good meal, a successful hunt or perhaps even just a warm cuddle. They are not afraid to express their confidence and self-assurance, much like agent 007… Please pay close attention to all articulation patterns to gain the swagger that the melodic material demands.