Abstract
With the quarter note marked at “160 or faster,” this polka is a middle school orchestra's delight. There is much to learn in this two-minute arrangement utilizing half-, dotted quarter-, quarter-, and eighth-note rhythm patterns. The formal structure is ABA Coda, with the A sections in G major and the B section in C major. Dynamic contrasts are crucial to the successful performance of the piece, with sudden changes from p to f or f to p, sforzandi, and one-measure crescendi and diminuendi. The orchestration of the winds and percussion enhances these dynamic contrasts. All instruments will need to work on clean articulation, especially with patterns of alternating eighth notes and eighth rests. There is an abundance of chromatic fingerings, whether on adjacent strings for C/F-sharp or F/B, or on the same string for E/E-flat. The first violins carry the melody throughout the piece but are often doubled by other instrumental parts. The second violin harmony part usually doubles the melodic rhythm, and violas double the seconds for approximately half the piece. Seconds also have some simple double stops in the transition to the B section. Both parts will need to be aware of the high third-finger C-sharp. The cellos pick up the lyrical melody in the B section as they play in octaves with the firsts, leaving the basses alone on the bass line. The wind parts primarily double the string parts, but there are some interesting countermelody motives in the B section for the upper woodwinds. The wind parts employ moderate ranges and have several passages with after-beats. The four-member percussion section will definitely bring the “Thunder and Lightning” to life. R.M.