Frank Michael

Gradus ad Symphoniam advanced level op. 8 Heft 5

A contemporary composition by Frank Michael adds to the traditional Gradus ad Symphoniam series for school orchestras and amateur orchestras. For a long time already, I had been playing with the idea to convert a dance for the piano dated 1969 into an orchestral version. Right from the beginning, I considered the possibility to perform with amateur orchestras. Michael added 4 more short pieces to this dance (Introduzione, Elegie, Bicinium, Kanon). Despite their simplicity, those pieces are quite refined in detail. This is especially true for their rhythmic structure which is dance-like and complex at the same time.