PRODUCTION NOTES
Chivalry is inspired by Arthurian legends, the tales of courageous knights, of daring deeds, and of the once and future King of England. This production brings those stories and more to the field in a modern and accessible way.Opening up with a low brass feature accompanied by a field snare playing the prelude to Bizet’s L’Arlésienne Suite no. 1, the full ensemble slowly joins, building up to a peak. This immediately transitions into the dark and swirling rhythms of Mussorgsky’s “Hut on Fowls’ Legs” from Pictures at an Exhibition, featuring low brass and woodwind moments galore, with opportunities for aggressive and fast-moving bodywork. This movement comes to a rousing finish by bringing back the L’Arlésienne theme intermingled with the Mussorgsky.“Farandole’s" delightful theme starts the next movement beginning with a solo flute, going to the keyboards, then to the high woodwinds with assistance from the high brass, and coming to a massive full ensemble conclusion with heroic fanfares and woodwind flourishes."Polovtsian Dances" from Borodin’s Prince Igor form the centerpiece of the slow movement. This section provides excellent opportunities for solo and small ensemble moments for the winds as well as a dance and swing flag feature, filling the field with color and swirls of movement. The music invokes the wonder of courtship and of the knight wooing his beloved lady.Trumpets sound, heralding the start of the final movement, with Verdi’s “Tuba mirum” from the Requiem providing a heroic backdrop to the king taking his rightful place on the throne. L’Arlésienne Suite and "Polotvsian Dances" join together to provide a climactic conclusion to this knight’s tale.
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