Dwarves is a concert piece specifically for ensembles that frequently have to deal with unbalanced or incomplete instrumentation. This work makes use of low melodies and various percussion instruments as dwarves are commonly associated with smithing and mining. The contrasting sections in this piece are inspired by different descriptions/interpretations of dwarves - from traditional Norse mythology to more recent depictions that frequently appear in pop culture.

• Dwarves is based primarily on two different themes - the A theme (minor and serious) and the B (major, a bit more uplifting). There is a ‘C’ section, but it is loosely based on a variation of the A theme:

  • [1-24] Intro/ A theme: establishes a dark mood while the initial statement of the melody in the low voices [starting in measure 13] depicts the great, powerful dwarves of Norse mythology.

  • [25-48] A/ A’: Second version of the A theme - twice as fast and in the upper voices. The descending figure [starting in measure 41] follows the dwarves as they descend into their mines deep under the mountains.

  • [49-56] Intro/ A theme: this darker, marcato restatement of the A theme gives greater contrast to the brighter, more lively B theme introduced in measure 57.

  • [57-68] B theme: lively and joyous; reminiscent of the light-hearted nature of the dwarves (or dwarfs) in Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

  • [69-80/81-88] C (or A”): the mysterious and foreboding Mines of Moria (J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings). You can hear the sounds of Dwarves mining and smithing.

  • [89-96/97-116] B theme with descending variation of the A theme: mystical but ominous.

  • [117-140] Intro/ A theme: repeat of the beginning before the final statement of the A theme.

  • [141-161] Final statements of the A theme: first heard in the high voices, the A theme transitions into a percussive back-and-forth between parts 1-3 and 4-5 [measures 154-157] before being played one last time in the low voices [starting in measure 185].