I remember the exact moment I fell in love with this piece of music. I was an instrumental music teacher at Birchwood Intermediate School on Prince Edward Island. It was Junior Honors Band Week end. Richard Bennett was on the podium and he had the captivated attention of every person in the room. The way he worked with the students was magical.

“The Road Unknown – Portrait of a Soldier” is a tone poem by the composer Richard Meyer. He was inspired by the poem “The Road Unknown” by Walt Whitman.

It paints the picture of a young man, represented by a solo trumpet, who is safe and happy at home. You can imagine him on his family homestead –  cutting the grass, sitting under a tree, playing catch with his little brother. His family goes to a patriotic parade. The soldiers have just returned from a successful tour. There is marching, music and lots of energy. He was inspired to enlist. However, just before he leaves, he has doubts. Should he go? or Should he stay? He decides to board the train and he enters the Battlefield. The battle is fierce. Suddenly, you hear 2 shots, and the young man falls to the ground. As he lies there, alone and afraid, he remembers home. His soul lifts from his body and rises to heaven.

This music is so powerful that I can imagine this story every time. The form is as follows:

Intro – Solo trumpet introducing the theme of the young soldier.

Home – Solo Low Brass takes over the soldier’s theme. 

Patriotic Parade – Solo flute and snare sets the stage. New theme representing the excitement of the celebration

Confusion – The home theme and the patriotic theme are played together!!!Very clever writing! The home theme is in 3/4 meter and the patriotic theme is in 2/4.

Boarding the train – Hear the whistle blow and the steady chugging of the snare. Ominous low brass.

Into Battle – In a minor key.

Two Shots – On snare.

The Fallen – Sustained Low Brass

Thoughts of Home – The solo trumpet returns.

Rising up – Solo Flute

I teach K-3. I don’t go into overwhelming detail but I do use this piece as a listening activity. I have them draw the story. We don’t talk about his death. We don’t mention heaven. They just draw what they hear or use colors to represent what they feel.

 

I use this recording but I don’t project it. The bloody script is a little unnecessary. Remember the PDF’s shown here are on the Visuals page of the blog.

This is how I remember. “Lest we Forget”

Take care,

Syndi