Hero Twins

From the arranger, Stephen Roberts:

Hero Twins is inspired by the ancient Mayan creation myth of the hero twins Xbalanke and Junajpu, renowned for their great skills.

They defeated the lords of the underworld by fighting bird demons and turning their enemies into monkeys. Eventually they became the sun and the moon, or day and night.

The piece has programmatic elements, with the soloist representing the hero twins by playing on two instruments. All the themes are based on Mexican birdsongs heard at the beginning.

There are four main sections with the soloist initially summoning up the forest and leading a ritual dance.

A slow section evokes the night and is followed by a furious battling ‘scherzo’ in which elements of jazz are heard.

Finally, after a further reference to the beginning, another ritual dance rounds off the work.

Hero Twins was written for Victoria Samek who also gave the first performance which was recorded live in 2018 at London’s Regent Hall with The Band of the RAF Regiment, conducted by Director of Music, Flight Lieutenant Thomas Rodda.

Stephen Roberts 2018

The E-Edition PDF edition includes a score and the following parts:

Solo Saxophone (Soprano and Alto Saxophone)
Piccolo
Flutes 1 & 2
Oboe
Bassoons 1 & 2
Contrabasson
Clarinets in Bb 1, 2 & 3
Bass Clarinet in Bb (and optional Contrabass)
Alto Saxophones 1 & 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpets 1, 2, 3 & 4
Horns 1, 2, 3 & 4
Trombones 1 & 2
Bass Trombone
Euphoniums 1 & 2
Tuba
Contrabass
Percussion 1 (Timpani, 4 pedal & Vibraslap)
Percussion 2 (Maracas, Guiro, Marimba, Glockenspiel, Claves, Side Drum, Bass Drum)
Percussion 3 (Claves, Tam-Tam, Maracas, Bass Drum, Rainstick, Orchestral Cymbals)
Percussion 4 (Rainstick, Cuica (10″), Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Ride Cymbal, Guiro, Tam-Tam, Maracas)

“Hero Twins” is also available in printed edition from June Emerson Wind Music. A larger B4 size score (40% bigger than the standard A4 size score) is also available exclusively in printed edition from June Emerson Wind Music.