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This musical ideas in this piece derive from the opening chapters of "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson. The opening section paints a musical picture of the Admiral Benbow Inn, where most of the opening action of the story takes place. The inn is perched on the coast, a lonely,
windy place where a traveller can seek shelter from the elements
- and unwanted pursuers.
The individual who is seeking shelter in
this story is Billy Bones, a drunken, unkempt rascal who often
drinks more than is good for him, and when he does, he breaks
out into his old song (before Letter D) "Fifteen Men on a Dead
Man's Chest", in an increasingly raucous and drunken session in
the Inn.
That is followed at letter H by a depiction
of (Blind) Pew, tapping his way around towards the delivery of
the dreaded Black Spot (letter K).
The next section, more reflective and sad,
captures the mood of death at the Inn, as both Jim Hawkins's dad
and Billy Bones come to their respective ends.
Next up comes a much brighter, almost
Caribbean theme as the treasure-seekers prepare to set sail for
Treasure Island. The final short section echoes the opening
material, interspersed with themes from the rest of the piece. |
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