A Little Train in the Tropics (The Sun Machine) 3'0"

Light music. Tonal.

It's a set of variations on a folk tune from the Caribbean. You may know it.

There were two rules: It had to be no longer than 3 minutes; and it was NOT to sound like Villa-Lobos' "Little Train of the Caipira"  No way! 

So it's a very short trip (but, as imagination has it, you end up at a bar just off the beach). The little engine struggles in places but gets there all the same.

I may re-arrange the piccolo part. It could be played by a flautist if they're nifty at changing over!

Any comment good or bad would be gratefully received and thank you if you can give it a listen.

Thanks. Q

Strepitoso!  (Thanks to your score I just found out that the literal translation of this Italian word means "Amazing!" although the meaning you were probably going for was something like "resounding" or "clamorous".)  I like this piece - I don't think I know the Caribbean folk tune that it's based on although it sounds especially familiar in the very last phrase that the Oboe plays before the piece ends.  I like the interspersed clear melodic lines in between more chaotic and wild ostinati - sounds almost Stravinsky-esque!  I don't know why you give yourself seemingly arbitrary time limits ... ???  Just because a piece is shorter does not necessarily make it better.  And a piece can be quite accessible despite being of considerable length.  I think especially in a variations piece you should give yourself time to explore all the different versions of the theme you can conceive!  I liked it though.  Thanks for sharing!

unsettling, unique, I like it. Very idiomatic. I see a train in my mind

Nicely done and orchestrated.  Lots of huffing and puffing as well.  This is a very creative endeavor indeed.  My only observation is the work, I think works very well, as music for an animation and/or film sequence.  However, there is so much nuance and lots of effects and unique references to the tune ... I not sure how an audience would engage with it.  Personally, I enjoyed it immensely!

On 8/28/2021 at 11:27 PM, PeterthePapercomPoser said:

Strepitoso!  (Thanks to your score I just found out that the literal translation of this Italian word means "Amazing!" although the meaning you were probably going for was something like "resounding" or "clamorous".)  I like this piece - I don't think I know the Caribbean folk tune that it's based on although it sounds especially familiar in the very last phrase that the Oboe plays before the piece ends.  I like the interspersed clear melodic lines in between more chaotic and wild ostinati - sounds almost Stravinsky-esque!  I don't know why you give yourself seemingly arbitrary time limits ... ???  Just because a piece is shorter does not necessarily make it better.  And a piece can be quite accessible despite being of considerable length.  I think especially in a variations piece you should give yourself time to explore all the different versions of the theme you can conceive!  I liked it though.  Thanks for sharing!

 

Hah! Strepitoso? I learned that from Liszt. Yeah: "noisy".

Thank you indeed for listening and your kind comments. The folk tune is from Haiti "Yellow Bird". I should go live in the tropics they afflict my lighter music too much. Sitting on the beach in Jacmel... The tune seemed light and bright enough for the piece. There's another section as a chorus but that really would have extended the work.

Thanks again.

On 8/29/2021 at 3:01 AM, Left Unexplained said:

unsettling, unique, I like it. Very idiomatic. I see a train in my mind

 

Cheers for listening and your comment. Glad it gave the intended impression. Like I said I didn't want it like the charming Villa-Lobos piece which is a horribly difficult score (if you happen to be familiar with his music!)

Thank you.

18 hours ago, MJFOBOE said:

Nicely done and orchestrated.  Lots of huffing and puffing as well.  This is a very creative endeavor indeed.  My only observation is the work, I think works very well, as music for an animation and/or film sequence.  However, there is so much nuance and lots of effects and unique references to the tune ... I not sure how an audience would engage with it.  Personally, I enjoyed it immensely!

 

Well, thank you indeed for listening and your generous comments. It was great fun to write. There are times when I get fed up with the chromatic through-composed stuff so I turn to a bit of light music as relief. Thanks also for the comment on orchestration.

It's an imaginary rail trip as I can't recall any railways in the French Antilles so it would have to be an animation or a trip to the north of Latin America to film. I have friends in Ecuador. A nice thought - a winter break in the region!

So, thanks again MJFOBOE. Much appreciated. 

I totally loved this -- except for the last bar. It left me with a feeling of "Oh. Is that all?" The piece is so charming, it needs an ending with comparable charm or cheekiness. What might you imagine happening when you step off of this little train in the tropics? Leave the listener with a memorable image.

I really like it. It's really captivating.  I recognised the song "Yellow Bird" I think. The orchestration is really nice. Light and engaging. More!!!