Where the River Bends

Where the River Bends is a lyrical work for string orchestra by Jonathan T. Martin. Jonathan has captured the peaceful, flowing movement of water through expressive melodic lines and gentle harmonic shifts reflected by a singular “flowing” motif throughout the entire work. Perfect for developing ensembles, this work provides an ideal opportunity for students to focus on legato bowing technique and the production of a warm, connected sound.

The piece opens with a serene flowing motif that evokes the gentle passage of water moving downstream and continues to develop throughout the work, reaching a musical climax near the end before resolving back to the tranquil character established at the opening, creating a satisfying and cohesive musical journey. Jonathan has created an achievable work that will engage all members of the orchestra while being a useful pedagogical work to teach balance, blend, and legato bowings.