MYO: Full Scores

MYO stands apart from typical concerto fare because Franke uses the five-element theory as genuine structural architecture, not window dressing. The seven-movement design gives orchestras and soloists a substantial, philosophically grounded work that rewards deep preparation and offers concert programmers something genuinely contemporary without sacrificing musicality.

MYO unfolds as a meditation on natural processes of creation and dissolution. The seven movements trace elemental transformations with a compositional language that honors both Western harmonic thinking and the fluid, cyclical principles embedded in Taoist philosophy, creating an arc that feels both intellectually coherent and emotionally immersive.

This full score is essential for conductors preparing MYO with a professional or advanced amateur orchestra and violin soloist. It serves orchestras with the resources and ambition to tackle substantial contemporary repertoire commissioned by major European houses.

• Study the five-element framework alongside the score to understand how each movement embodies transformation and decay; this conceptual grounding shapes interpretive choices across tempi and dynamics.
• Balance the soloists' virtuosity against the orchestral texture; the concerto invites dialogue rather than domination, so ensemble clarity is essential to Franke's intent.
• Use the 30-minute span as an opportunity for rehearsal pacing and conductor preparation; the work's extended length demands stamina and structural unity across all seven movements.
• Engage the soloist in conversations about tonal centers and harmonic language early, as contemporary writing requires agreement on what constitutes 'arrival' and resolution.

Position MYO as the centerpiece of a contemporary or thematic concert exploring non-Western philosophical influence on Western composition. Its 30-minute span demands a program built around it, paired with shorter works that either complement or contrast its conceptual density.

• Reading large orchestral scores with complex, contemporary harmonic language
• Understanding structural design derived from non-musical conceptual frameworks
• Balancing solo and tutti textures in extended solo-orchestra relationships
• Conducting extended, multi-movement works requiring stamina and structural coherence
• Collaborating across conductor, soloist, and ensemble to realize contemporary compositional intent