SKU: AP.36-A672699

ISBN 9798888527887. UPC: 659359811340. English.

The Cuban composer and pianist Ernesto Lecuona (1896-1963) wrote many works labelled as Afro-Cuban, and sorting them all can be difficult. While some are lost and others are scattered about, the 1930 piano suite titled Danzas Afro-Cubanas, a collection of six of the dances, remains a core group in the style. La Comparsa (Carnival Procession) is the sixth dance in the suite, and it is based on the traditional parade and ceremony that occurs during Carnival season in Cuba. This composition starts with the gradual approach of the procession and carries one through all the excitement until the last faint notes of the departing parade die away in the distance. This version for full orchestra has been arranged by Morton Gould (1913-1996). Instrumentation: 2.2.3+BCl.2: 3Sax(AAT; opt.): 2.3.3.1: Perc(1-2): Hp.Clst.Gtr: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Pno Cond Score in set.

These products are currently being prepared by a new publisher. While many items are ready and will ship on time, some others may see delays of several months.

SKU: RM.CALM02261-CO

SKU: HL.4002119

UPC: 073999263251. 11x17 inches.

This large-scale three-movement work, commissioned by Ray Cramer and the Indiana University Wind Ensemble, embodies the transformation of silence into sound. The opening movement is sparse, utilizing mallet percussion, harp, and piano to create a floating sense of timelessness. Featuring extensive solo flute, this floating texture gradually builds over several minutes, ultimately launching itself into a grandiose, warm, harmonically consonant blanket of sound. The second movement continues the focus on solo flute, and again opens slowly, gradually gaining momentum, but at a faster pace than in the first movement. The music spirals upward and outward, but instead of reaching a plateau, winds itself out and comes to a grinding halt in the upper range of the ensemble. Five brief, solemn chords conclude the movement, which immediately erupts into Movement III, music of unceasing, unsettling, motion, propelled by a driving ostinato which is repeatedly interrupted by bittersweet moments of lyricism, all the while pushing toward an unforgiving climax. The movements may also be performed separately. There is no explicit narrative to the piece, though many particular elements do have personal quasi-biographical significance. Ultimately, this is music of both personal and musical transformation.

NOTE: This work is available as a rental item directly from the composer. For details, e-mail rental@stevenbryant.com. The score is also available separately for purchase from Hal Leonard.

SKU: PR.145400300

UPC: 680160032068.

SKU: HL.645667

UPC: 008148061341. 9.0x12.0x0.011 inches.

SKU: CL.023-3811-01

An absolutely beautiful setting of the French folk song Ah vous dirai-je Maman composed as a piano composition by Mozart in the 1700. Elegantly orchestrated to create a wonderfully expressive moment that even the youngest musician can perform. A quality work for young bands!

SKU: CF.YPS212

ISBN 9781491152317. UPC: 680160909810. Key: C minor.

Taking its title from a poem about grief and loss by Chrissie Pinney, Live On honors the life of band director Linda Mann, to whom the piece is dedicated. The piece begins with a pensive intro before shifting to a whimsical theme that brings about happy thoughts of a life well-lived. After a return to the poignant opening material, the music surges to a triumphant conclusion based on an augmented version of the whimsical theme.
Live On was commissioned by Diplomat Middle School's staff, faculty and students, in Cape Coral, Florida, and is dedicated to the memory of their Director of Bands, Linda Mann. Director of Orchestras, Roland Forti, championed the commissioning of this piece to honor the life of Linda after her untimely passing in February of 2017. Linda Mann’s impact on the field of music education was profound and wide-reaching. She was a beloved member of the staff at Diplomat Middle School, as well as the music community of Cape Coral and the state of Florida. Linda was highly respected throughout the state, serving as recent past-president of the Florida Bandmasters Association.In discussing the type of piece the school wanted to honor Ms. Mann, they indicated the piece should “depict Linda’s personality: dynamic, sassy, yet thoughtful and almost mentor-like.” They wanted a piece that was upbeat, yet still had moments that were thoughtful, portraying the grief that the Diplomat Middle School community has suffered from the sudden loss of such a beloved teacher.After contemplating their thoughts, I did some research to find inspiration for the piece. This led me to poetry about grief and loss. In time, I stumbled upon a short, yet poignant poem that I felt perfectly depicted the sentiment that I wanted the piece to convey.  That poem is entitled Live On by Chrissie Pinney.Live OnNow as I live onWithout youI hope to keepThe pieces of youThat I loved so dearlyYour mannerismsAnd compassionate characterAnd smiles through struggleSo that youMay live on too -Chrissie PinneyI reached out to Ms. Pinney, and she graciously agreed to allow me to quote her powerful poem in these notes. She expressed that she was deeply touched that her work would inspire me to write a piece in honor of Linda Mann.The piece begins with a poignant, pensive opening section. The use of the musical interval of a tritone between the first two openly voiced chords are used to represent the sadness we all feel from this type of loss. When I sat in front of my piano and started to work on this piece, my hands seemed to naturally and immediately play these first two chords, which set the process in motion of composing the piece.After the somber opening, the piece shifts to a whimsical theme that I hope brings about happy thoughts of Linda and her personality. It was also my intent, however, to include some musical dissonance in the theme that still reflected the bittersweet loss at the same time. The piece develops into a secondary theme that is a quasi inversion of the main fast theme. This section is followed by a return of the opening material, with snippets of the fast theme intertwined, before the piece builds to a triumphant, augmented presentation of the main theme in a lush form to complete the work.It is my hope that in some small way, this piece will bring comfort to those affected by the loss of Linda Mann, and that the music will allow her memory to Live On.–Larry ClarkLakeland, FL 2017.

SKU: PR.11540205F

ISBN 9781598062977. UPC: 680160594276. 9x12 inches. Key: Bb mixolydian.

Carter Pann’s Richard and Renée was written as a gift for two musician friends of his, Renée Kershaw and Dick Floyd. The first movement, “Renée’s Reply,” is a musical portrait of the time the composer spent with his friend in Italy. According to Pann, “the music strives for a poignancy inspired by this new event in their relationship accompanied by a backdrop so beautiful it defies words. A writer/composer (anyone, for that matter) cannot live on the Amalfi Coast and remain unchanged, unmarked.” The second movement, “Floyd’s Fantastic Five-Alarm Foxy Frolic,” is in a playful ragtime style, with an ending that the composer describes as “over the top.” Duration: 13’.

SKU: CF.BPS76F

ISBN 9780825892318. UPC: 798408092313. 9 x 12 inches.

Hidden World is a dynamic composition for the beginning band, containing great performance and teaching opportunities. The opening motive is loosely based on the first gesture in Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. In the concerto, that gesture is very heroic, but also explores a more mysterious side. An excellent choice for contest or festival.