Clockwork

Many composers were inspired by the clock to write wonderful pieces, e.g. Joseph Haydn whose Symphony No. 101 is also called “The Clock”. Adding the melody of the most famous clock in the world, “Big Ben” in London, you have a lot of musical material for a piece about the clock.

Introduction
The Wood Blocks beat the seconds and the Big Ben motive rings from the carillon that sounds a little blurry, like big bells in a clock tower. The theme reminds of the music of Joseph Haydn and all notes are supposed to be played very short (staccato) to make in sound exciting.

Variation 1
The clock beats three o’clock respectively three beats per bar, which creates a waltz. Listen to the chimes, as Big Ben hides somewhere in their melody.

Variation 2
At midnight it should be quiet because most people sleep at that time. This variation stands in minor and sounds all mysterious and melancholic. Listen closely to the chimes, do they beat twelve times at the ending of this part?

Variation 3
Composer Joseph Haydn was so angry with the noble people at court, who often fell asleep during concerts of the court orchestra, that he added a loud beat of a kettledrum to wake them all up. In “Clockwork Fantasy” you can also find such a beat. A handy hint for the musicians: The more piano you play before the beat the louder and bigger it appears to the audience.

Finale
“Beat your time”” means “Don’t waste time!” but the word “beat” also stands for the rhythmic beating of a drum. And at the end of “Clockwork Fantasy” we can hear Big Ben again.
 

Flexible trio with percussions/keyboard (opt.)