The Shapeshifters, by Anthony Granata, is a challenging and engaging programmatic work for advancing orchestras. A shapeshifter, or a mythological being able to change physical form, is a perfect analogy for what is required from your student musicians. If you're teaching a unit on shifting, then ALL your sections (yes, 2nd violins, too!) can practice shifting into third position. This programmatic work tells the story of the misunderstood but frightening shapeshifters who, at first, seem both beautiful and harmless (the "Largo" section) but suddenly transform into frightening creatures (the "Allegro" section). Inspired by the beautiful and harmonically dissonant works of Ives, Bartók, and Stravinsky, take your students on an epic journey in this fantasy-inspired work. Set in the key of G minor, students will be exposed to the piece's demanding technical requirements while encountering beautiful harmonic suspensions and frighteningly dissonant and abrupt chords. Concluding with an overlay of both the "Largo" and "Allegro" themes, this piece is sure to engage orchestras and please audiences! (3:45)
