The Elements, by Richard Meyer – Score & Sound

The Elements
By Richard Meyer
Item: 00-46713
Series: Highland/Etling String Orchestra
Category: String Orchestra
Format: Conductor Score & Parts
Level: 4
"The Elements" by Richard Meyer is a colorful depiction of the four basic elements—earth, air, water, and fire—and is sure to challenge and delight every member of your advanced string orchestra. Impressionistic harmonies and fascinating rhythmic nuances give this piece an other-worldly feel with each element coming alive as a unique and wondrous tone painting. Technical challenges include 5/4, 9/8, and 7/4 meters and a refreshing variety of diverse key signatures and modes

[waflywolf]

I enjoy how the violins don't overpower the other instruments, especially the bass, it is very clear and easy to hear

[RocGirl]

I love how much viola is in this! Viola power!!!

[WillTheBassPlayer]

I love that the lead in to water is raindrops. One drop, then two, and it swells you into a flowing river

[vikramm.]

I love how you can clearly hear all parts for each instrument. Many composers try to do this but it is extremely hard to balance out every part equally. with that said, Richard Meyer nailed it.
Edit: I JUST GOT A FRICKIN AD BETWEEN WATER AND FIRE.

[samsavanichjr]

Air sounds so amazing and pretty but fire has to be my favorite part of the piece

[myasofteyes]

Richard Meyer really went above and beyond with this piece...
Every part fits its element *perfectly*
Earth sounds structural and commanding
Air is free and playful, while also being unpredictable in its melody.
The plucking of the strings represents droplets of water, but the rest flows so smooth like a river, or even a waterfall.
Meanwhile, fire is intense; fearful, like you're frantically running away from danger that's slowly, yet quickly closing in on you.
Everything about this piece is beautiful. Fire is by far my favorite, but damn... All of it is amazing. Props to Mr. Meyer!

[i_am_a_music_maker]

I love the transition from air into water, I also love the viola part in water

[bandit]

The concept reminds me of The Planets, lol
With the 5/4 time signature for Mars, and all the flats
(the fact the first one was called Earth)
But this is really cool, glad it randomly popped up in my recommendations

[DeuteriumGames]

Earth and Fire are my two favorite sections - they have intense, yet beautiful tones, which I love in music. Very emotional and dramatic!

[tupperware]

0:03 Earth
2:17 Air
4:00 Water
6:07 Fire

[ShmEmber]

I think that the cellos in earth are spectacular! Wow!

[zollychan]

I really do like 'Water' and 'Fire'. Because on is very nice and smooth, the other is fast and epic

[iamcoolkidz]

Bro that one bass solo tho at 6:00😫 I luv bein a bass player fr

[AltoFGC]

5:22 these chords are absolutely beautiful

[genesisd]

Loved playing this back in school. One of the most memorable pieces I played.

[qazxwecvr]

When do we get a piece about the 118 elements?

[takethemichaelo]

I love air it gives off a sense of curiosity and peacefulness like nothing bad is happening

[scherzometer]

7:43 probably the most epic part of the piece

Edit: coming back, I wrote this comment right after playing the piece in an orchestra, and wanted to hear the real thing. Coming back to this again, I was fingering along with the part I played, and realized that this may be my favorite orchestra piece that I've played yet

[PinkieShy]

I am very excited to turn this into a concert orchestra piece.

[vjdesair]

I love the dies irae melody in fire. It really sets the tone of burning to death.