HEARTLAND (2007), Mvmts. 5, 6 and 7 by Michael Schelle

BLUEGRASS VOODOO, MICHIGAN MILITIA and
THRENODY FOR THE VICTIMS OF INDIANA
Mvmts. 5, 6 and 7 of HEARTLAND (2007)
by Michael Schelle

For the great heartland states of Kentucky, Michigan and Indiana, BLUEGRASS VOODOO, MICHIGAN MILITIA and THRENODY FOR THE VICTIMS OF INDIANA are Mvmts. 5, 6 and 7 of HEARTLAND (which was commissioned and premiered by the Manhattan Contemporary Chamber Ensemble at Symphony Space in NYC in March 2008).

The frantic solo backwoods fiddlin' of BLUEGRASS VOODOO explodes into the violence (musical and theatrical) of MICHIGAN MILITIA, which then collapses into the big finale, THRENODY FOR THE VICTIMS OF INDIANA.

THRENODY evolves into an original (music and lyrics by Michael Schelle) old fashioned 'torch song', sung 3 times:
1. by the conductor, 2. by the conductor AND an off-stage tenor who's suddenly arrived on stage, and 3. by the conductor, the tenor, and the audience (giant cue cards are shown to the audience for the 'sing along').

"Threnody for the Victims of Indiana" lyrics:

"Don't got no ocean, don't got no shore
Ain't got no mountain range
But we got corn, and vote Republican, and buy
Buy Chevrolet, and always pray,
That's why we stay ... in Indiana."

.
HEARTLAND (2007)
1. Buckeye Zombies .. https://soundcloud.com/rimsky-1/michael-schelle-buckeye
2. Hawkeye Feeder .. https://soundcloud.com/rimsky-1/michael-schelle-hawkeye-feeder
3. Illinoise .. https://soundcloud.com/rimsky-1/michael-schelle-illinoise-and
4. Badger Baby
5. Bluegrass Voodoo
6. Michigan Militia .. https://soundcloud.com/rimsky-1/michael-schelle-heartland-2007
7. Threnody for the Victims of Indiana .. https://soundcloud.com/rimsky-1/michael-schelle-threnody-for

Video excerpts: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQOONX8n6Xc

visit: www.schellemusic.com