Salamander Eyes: Viola

Bob Phillips has captured the cinematic sweep of Howard's original score in a way that sits perfectly in the string orchestra idiom. The harp/synth flexibility means you're not locked into a single instrumentation choice, and the interweaving melodic lines reward careful sectional balance without demanding advanced technical facility.

Magical without being whimsical, grand without being heavy. The piece evokes the sense of discovering something extraordinary, with lush string textures that shimmer and dance across your ensemble.

String orchestras at the intermediate level looking for repertoire that connects to students' own musical worlds. This works equally well for groups building ensemble cohesion and programs that want to include recognizable, engaging material alongside traditional concert fare.

• Balance the moving inner voices carefully; they carry harmonic color but shouldn't overshadow the primary melody. Mark these cues in your parts during rehearsal so no section surprises another.
• Shape the harp/synth part with restraint. Whether you assign it to piano, harp, or synth, keep it supportive of the strings rather than competing with them.
• Let the piece breathe at phrase endings. These moments of space are what give the fantasy setting its sense of wonder.

Pair this with a classical overture and a showcase piece for your strongest section to create a concert that spans musical worlds. It's also strong enough to anchor a pops concert or serve as an accessible entry point for younger students in a side-by-side rehearsal with advanced players.

• Sustaining phrase arcs across multiple measures without losing line direction
• Listening for and balancing inner harmonic voices while maintaining ensemble cohesion
• Responding to flexible accompaniment parts (accommodating harp, synth, or piano)
• Coordinating sectional blend in a cinematic scoring context