Welcome to the Wild West

Generous use of fifths on open strings, often in syncopation, generate robust harmony and rhythm characteristic of western fiddle tunes. The piece drives restlessly forward, with brief legato and espressivo passages. Several motifs combining pentatonic and modal scale/arpeggio patterns are passed back and forth between sections. Here the frequent use of down-bows places emphasis on unaccented beats reinforcing the adventurous feel of the music. Pizzicato, including the technique of slap pizzicato adds the brilliance of a traditional string band. Finally, both arco and pizzicato triple stops are used to bring the piece to a tempestuous and breathtaking close.