Nemesis – Renee Rosnes

A memorable song built on a unique, challenging theme. Two chord hits are followed by a fluttery descending triplet melody; this two-measure pattern repeats three times in each A section. The form is AABC, with eight-measure A and C sections and a 14-measure bridge in which the rhythm section plays loose "broken time."

Nemesis has a modern post-bop sound; the chord structure is largely modal. The key center and first chord are F minor, but most of the other chords are major. At the beginning Fm7 is alternated with G♭maj7; the bridge alternates four measures each of Cmaj7 and E♭maj7, with major chords descending in minor thirds in the last two measures.

About the arrangement: A concert condensed score is available for the quintet arrangement, as well as second horn parts. The horns are voiced in fourths throughout the A section with its fluttery lines; the melody phrases of the bridge alternate between contrary motion, unison, and octaves. The condensed score is the rhythm section part; the top notes of piano chord hits are shown wherever possible.

The melody has quite a wide range and goes very high for most instruments. Because of the tight harmonies in a high register, we don't have a trombone second part. In the register where the melody is played on soprano sax on the recording, the melody goes slightly outside the "standard" range of the alto sax; our E♭ lead sheet is written an octave lower for most of the A section with the indication "optional 8va." The same range consideration goes for the tenor sax second part; as recorded, the highest notes are taken down an octave, and this is shown in our part.