Unfortunately, I can't seem to edit my original post to add the subsequant movement, so I'll add it to the end here (maybe someone can help figure out how to edit a post in this forum?)
thus, the 3rd movement of the Sinfonia Canadensis "A Canadian Symphony" (Symphony no2)
particular difficulties: I HATE writing fast music! truly rapid music is probably one of the most diffiuclt things to achieve.
techniques: well, same as most of my music.
this movement has some added elements - there are five themes (or rather, fragments of themes) I incorporated into this scherzo.
for each of the Maritime provinces I included a fragment of a "national" or folkloric themem so
- Island Hymn for Prince Edward Island (the jaunty 12/8 theme)
- Farewell to Nova Scotia, used as a bouncy little 4-part chorale in the horns
- Ode to Newfoundland, which gets the "lyrical" and modulatory treatment
- Ave Maris Stella for New Brunswick, a gregorian chant which acts as a sort of choral-fantasy for the grand finale
- and tiny fragments of Oh Canada tossed in for good measure (just in case someone missed the "Canadian" symphony title
)
this is a very brief movement, a tad over 3 minutes.
and now, on to the final two movements... back to work.