Oeystein Olsen Vadsten

Nedslått - Sørgemarsj

Currently the latest addition to the composer's series of folk music inspired pieces, has the slightly condescending title 'Dead End'. The piece is a funeral march and so also written for an occasion, where this style of music was a natural inspiration. It is built on a drum ostinato, which is followed by a melody in Norwegian folk music style. The repetitions in the melody line and rhythm, create a hypnotic effect, leaving us in a special state of mind, alternating between deep sorrow, bottomless despair and grateful gratitude.
The piece has proven to be effective, both as a concert opener and as the last piece in a concert.

To the conductor:

Proper control of the specified tempo is alpha and omega here. The snare drum must certainly avoid wobbling or let itself be influenced by a melody voice being a little early or late. Emphasize that the snare drum should play towards the first beat of every bar.
Dynamics is a very important tool here, so keep it at all costs, and make sure the melody voice is always clearly visible and articulated well. Keep the musical tension until the last note in the tubular bells comes to silence.