Short Ride in a Fast Sled Johannes Brahms

Short Ride in a Fast Sled Johannes BrahmsShort Ride in a Fast Sled is a fun winter concert piece written as a nod to John Adams' well known Short Ride in a Fast Machine. It presents a neat opportunity for directors to show Adams' famous work to their students, as the two pieces share several key elements constant woodblock, minimalism, and repetitive dissonant ostinato patterns. After the patterns (including sleigh bells!) set the scene, a spirited holiday melody shows a fast sled ready to

In the key of E minor

with an ancient and suspended quality

To the string orchestra used in this very creative and festive setting

all parts share the melody lines with an upbeat tempo

while soaring lines and gritty riffs capture the spirit of a rock concert

This "change of pace" piece is fun to play

or possibly an encore

requiring basic slurs and hooked bows yet staying in first position

I hope you and your students enjoy Black Bear Ballet

a gunfight on Main St

performing elephants

the Pont du Gard is one of the best preserved of the ancient Roman aqueducts