Force of Nature: String Bass
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PC-0019538_SB
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Description
Written to celebrate both the power and beauty of nature, Force of Nature juxtaposes intensely rhythmic elements with broad, lyrical lines. Sustained phrases suggest those awe-inspiring locations that can take one's breath away, yet the rhythmic underscore is a constant reminder of nature’s sheer power. A musical whirlwind by Brian Balmages! (2:10)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Force of Nature: String Bass comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
MakeMusic Intermediate Strings
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PC-0019538_SB
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor whose work spans orchestral, band, and chamber music at the highest levels. His compositions have been performed by professional symphony orchestras and school ensembles alike in world-renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House. He is a recipient of the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association and won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest. Balmages holds membership in the American Bandmasters Association and has received the James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award.
As a conductor, Balmages maintains regular engagements with all-state ensembles, university groups, and professional orchestras worldwide. His guest conducting appearances span major conferences including the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and state ASTA conferences. He currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Balmages constructs genuine musical drama here by weaving together contrasting textures in a short timeframe. The piece respects young string players' technical level while refusing to settle for predictable phrasing or texture, making it compelling for both performers and audiences at festival and concert settings.
What to expect
The piece evokes raw natural power tempered by moments of overwhelming beauty. Driving rhythmic figures and sweeping melodic lines collide and intertwine, creating the sensation of witnessing something vast and untamed.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the Grade 2 level looking for programmatic music with real substance and pedagogical value. Directors seeking festival-ready repertoire that engages both players and audiences without requiring advanced technical facility.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the sustained melodic lines against the rhythmic underscore by allowing the lyrical phrases to breathe without losing the propulsive energy beneath them.
- Shape the dynamic arch of those broad, sustained passages with gradual crescendos and diminuendos rather than static tone; listeners should feel the arc of natural phenomena unfolding.
- Lock the rhythmic precision of the accompaniment figures so the contrast with the legato writing reads as intentional, not accidental.
- Use the two-minute-plus duration to build momentum across the arc, resisting the urge to let tension drop during the transitions between rhythmic and lyrical sections.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for a concert themed around nature, environmental awareness, or the power of ensemble musicmaking. Its length and character make it a strong opener or closer, and its approachability at Grade 2 means it can anchor a mixed-repertoire concert without overshadowing lighter works.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining tone quality through extended phrases while maintaining intonation
- Rhythmic precision and ensemble cohesion in driving accompaniment figures
- Dynamic contrast and musical phrasing across lyrical and energetic sections
- String articulation clarity in fast, rhythmically complex passages
- Balance and blend when layering sustained lines with active counterpoint