SKU: PR.164002720

UPC: 680160573042. 8.5 x 11 inches.

My third quartet is laid out in a three-movement structure, with each movement based on an early, middle, and late work of the great American impressionist painter Mary Cassatt. Although the movements are separate, with full-stop endings, the music is connected by a common scale-form, derived from the name MARY CASSATT, and by a recurring theme that introduces all three movements. I see this theme as Mary's Theme, a personality that stays intact while undergoing gradual change.   I The Bacchante (1876) [Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]   The painting shows a young girl of Italian or Spanish origin, playing a small pair of cymbals. Since Cassatt was trying very hard to fit in at the French Academy at the time, she painted a lot of these subjects, which were considered typical and universal. The style of the painting doesn't yet show Cassatt's originality, except perhaps for certain details in the face. Accordingly the music for this movement is Spanish/Italian, in a similar period-style but using the musical signature described above. The music begins with Mary's Theme, ruminative and slow, then abruptly changes to an alla Spagnola-type fast 3/4 - 6/8 meter. It evokes the Spanish-influenced music of Ravel and Falla.   Midway through, there's an accompanied recitative for the viola, which figures large in this particular movement, then back to a truncated recapitulation of the fast music. The overall feeling is of a well-made, rather conventional movement in a contemporary Spanish/Italian style. Cassatt's painting, too, is rather conventional.   II At the Opera (1880) [Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts]   This painting is one of Cassatt's most well known works, and it hangs in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The painting shows a woman alone in a box at the opera house, completely dressed (including gloves) and looking through opera glasses at someone or something that is NOT on the stage. Across the auditorium from her, but exactly at eye level, is a gentleman with opera glasses intently watching her - though it is not him that she's looking at. It's an intriguing picture.   This movement is far less conventional than the first movement, as the painting is far less conventional. The music begins with a rapid, Shostakovich-type mini-overture lasting less than a minute, based on Mary's Theme. My conjecture is that the woman in the painting has arrived late to the opera, busily stumbling into her box. What happens next is a kind of collage, a kind of surrealistic overlaying of two different elements: the foreground music, at first is a direct quotation of Soldier's Chorus from Gounod's FAUST (an opera Cassatt would certainly have heard in the brand-new Paris Opera House at that time), played by Violin II, Viola, and Cello. This music is played sul ponticello in the melody and col legno in the marching accompaniment. On top of this, the first violin hovers at first on a high harmonic, then descends into a slow melody, completely separate from the Gounod. It's as if the woman in the painting is hearing the opera onstage but is not really interested in it. Then the cello joins the first violin in a kind of love-duet (just the two of them, at first). This music isn't at all Gounod-derived; it's entirely from the same scale patterns as the first movement and derives from Mary's Theme and its scale. The music stays in a kind of dichotomy feeling, usually three-against-one, until the end of the movement, when another Gounod melody, Valentin's aria Avant de quitter ce lieux reappears in a kind of coda for all four players. It ends atmospherically and emotionally disconnected, however. The overall feeling is a kind of schizophrenic, opera-inspired dream.   III Young Woman in Green, Outdoors in the Sun (1909) [Worcester Art Museum, Massachusetts]   The painting, one of Cassatt's last, is very simple: just a figure, looking sideways out of the picture. The colors are pastel and yet bold - and the woman is likewise very self-assured and not in the least demure. It is eight minutes long, and is all about melody - three melodies, to be exact (Young Woman, Green, and Sunlight). No angst, no choppy rhythms, just ever-unfolding melody and lush harmonies. I quote one other French composer here, too: Debussy's song Green, from Ariettes Oubliees. 1909 would have been Debussy's heyday in Paris, and it makes perfect sense musically as well as visually to do this.   Mary Cassatt lived her last several years in near-total blindness, and as she lost visual acuity, her work became less sharply defined - something akin to late water lilies of Monet, who suffered similar vision loss. My idea of making this movement entirely melodic was compounded by having each of the three melodies appear twice, once in a pure form, and the second time in a more diffuse setting. This makes an interesting two ways form: A-B-C-A1-B1-C1.   String Quartet No.3 (Cassatt) is dedicated, with great affection and respect, to the Cassatt String Quartet, whose members have dedicated themselves in large measure to the furthering of the contemporary repertoire for quartet.

SKU: CF.YPS231

ISBN 9781491157831. UPC: 680160916436. 9 x 12 inches.

The life of railroad worker in the early days of expansion was lonely, and the need for music to bolster spirits was of great importance. The character singing 900 Miles is looking forward to being reunited with his family after being separated from them for considerable time. The Wayfaring Stranger is a prominent American folk and gospel song that reflects upon the journey through life. The character in that song contemplates better times with their family in the afterlife. Both of these songs speak to the idea of searching for something beyond the current situation in which that person finds themselves. The programmatic qualities of the work are essentially tied to the main folk songa900 Milesaand they evoke the idea of where the song found its origins. Beyond that, both songs connect each of us to the sense of belonging and family that are the human experience. While the music paints a picture of someone who is alone, that is not a feeling I want for any young student in our schools today. Band is one of the few places where students can discover that sense of belonging and find a surrogate family. While band is a family that might not always get along, they can reach a shared goal through diligent work, caring and encouragement. It was a pleasure completing Lonely Travelers for longtime friend, superb musician, excellent educator and dedicated leader in music education Dennis Emert. His students debuted the work at the 2020 PMEA State Conference. I am deeply appreciative of Dennis and the friendship, encouragement and perspective he shared with me over the years teaching in the same region. The opening flute, clarinet and alto saxophone part can be performed by the entire section or as a solo at the discretion of the director. The washboard and spoon part can be doubled as players allow. I would suggest bringing these students to the front of the stage to get the sound of both instruments to the audience. As the piece develops and Wayfaring Stranger is layered with 900 Miles, please remind your ensemble to play so they can hear each other, not so they are individually heard. I thank you and your ensemble in advance as you begin this journey together in search of Lonely Travelers.
The life of railroad worker in the early days of expansion was lonely, and the need for music to bolster spirits was of great importance. The character singing 900 Miles is looking forward to being reunited with his family after being separated from them for considerable time. The Wayfaring Stranger is a prominent American folk and gospel song that reflects upon the journey through life. The character in that song contemplates better times with their family in the afterlife. Both of these songs speak to the idea of searching for something beyond the current situation in which that person finds themselves. The programmatic qualities of the work are essentially tied to the main folk song--900 Miles--and they evoke the idea of where the song found its origins. Beyond that, both songs connect each of us to the sense of belonging and family that are the human experience. While the music paints a picture of someone who is alone, that is not a feeling I want for any young student in our schools today. Band is one of the few places where students can discover that sense of belonging and find a surrogate family. While band is a family that might not always get along, they can reach a shared goal through diligent work, caring and encouragement. It was a pleasure completing Lonely Travelers for longtime friend, superb musician, excellent educator and dedicated leader in music education Dennis Emert. His students debuted the work at the 2020 PMEA State Conference. I am deeply appreciative of Dennis and the friendship, encouragement and perspective he shared with me over the years teaching in the same region. The opening flute, clarinet and alto saxophone part can be performed by the entire section or as a solo at the discretion of the director. The washboard and spoon part can be doubled as players allow. I would suggest bringing these students to the front of the stage to get the sound of both instruments to the audience. As the piece develops and Wayfaring Stranger is layered with 900 Miles, please remind your ensemble to play so they can hear each other, not so they are individually heard. I thank you and your ensemble in advance as you begin this journey together in search of Lonely Travelers.
The life of railroad worker in the early days of expansion was lonely, and the need for music to bolster spirits was of great importance. The character singing 900 Miles is looking forward to being reunited with his family after being separated from them for considerable time. The Wayfaring Stranger is a prominent American folk and gospel song that reflects upon the journey through life. The character in that song contemplates better times with their family in the afterlife. Both of these songs speak to the idea of searching for something beyond the current situation in which that person finds themselves. The programmatic qualities of the work are essentially tied to the main folk song—900 Miles—and they evoke the idea of where the song found its origins. Beyond that, both songs connect each of us to the sense of belonging and family that are the human experience.While the music paints a picture of someone who is alone, that is not a feeling I want for any young student in our schools today. Band is one of the few places where students can discover that sense of belonging and find a surrogate family. While band is a family that might not always get along, they can reach a shared goal through diligent work, caring and encouragement. It was a pleasure completing Lonely Travelers for longtime friend, superb musician, excellent educator and dedicated leader in music education Dennis Emert. His students debuted the work at the 2020 PMEA State Conference. I am deeply appreciative of Dennis and the friendship, encouragement and perspective he shared with me over the years teaching in the same region.The opening flute, clarinet and alto saxophone part can be performed by the entire section or as a solo at the discretion of the director. The washboard and spoon part can be doubled as players allow. I would suggest bringing these students to the front of the stage to get the sound of both instruments to the audience. As the piece develops and Wayfaring Stranger is layered with 900 Miles, please remind your ensemble to play so they can hear each other, not so they are individually heard. I thank you and your ensemble in advance as you begin this journey together in search of Lonely Travelers.

SKU: HL.44011673

UPC: 884088895662. 9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dutch.

In The Essence of Youth the composer gives an insight into childhood and youth — inspired by his own daughter. The opening of sparking rhythms, dynamic contrasts and changes of time signature paint a vivid picture of the unpredictability of children. The first and second movements recount the love — and also tension and the worries — in the adult-child bond, through dissonant harmonies but also pretty melodies. The fugue-like ending leads to a final splendid chorale: a picture of proud parents with their child!

In The Essence of Youth geeft de componist zijn visie op de kindertijd en de jeugd. Zijn eigen dochter vormde hierbij een belangrijke inspiratiebron. De opening staat met opgewekte ritmes, dynamische contrasten en maatsoortwisselingenvoor de spontaniteit van kinderen. Het eerste en tweede deel vertellen over de liefde, zorg en toewijding die horen bij een ouder-kindrelatie. Met dissonante harmonieen, maar ook met mooie melodieen weet de componist ditprachtig te verbeelden. Een fuga leidt ten slotte naar een prachtig koraal: de trotse ouders met hun kind verbeeldend.

In The Essence of Youth beschreibt der Komponist sein Bild von Kindheit und Jugend - inspiriert von seiner eigenen Tochter. Die Eroffnung steht mit aufgeweckten Rhythmen, dynamischen Kontrasten, Taktartwechseln fur die Unberechenbarkeit von Kindern. Der erste und zweite Satz erzahlen mit dissonanten Harmonien, aber auch mit schonen Melodien von Spannungen, Liebe und Sorge in der Eltern-Kind-Beziehung. Den Schluss bildet eine Fuge, die zu einem prachtvollen Choral fuhrt: ein Bild stolzer Eltern mit ihrem Kind!

Cette composition reflete ce que le compositeur considere comme les caracteristiques typiques de la jeunesse : une melodie eclatante pleine de rythmes vifs, des contrastes dynamiques et des changements de tempi qui se combinent pour symboliser l'energie debordante des enfants, ainsi que la tension entre parents et enfant. Un passage lyrique exprime l'amour parental par des lignes melodiques tres subtiles. Les notes s'egrenent, le charme opere !

The Essence of Youth e un brano che riflette cio che il compositore, ispirato da sua figlia, considera come le caratteristiche tipiche della gioventu. Un'ouverture spettacolare nella quale contrasti dinamici e dai ritmi vivaci si susseguono come a simboleggiare la straordinaria energia dei bambini. Il primo movimento, sulla scia dell'introduzione, anticipa una parte di solo che accompagna al secondo movimento, testimonianza dell'amore infinito dei genitori nei confronti dei figli. Una fuga basata sul tema iniziale contraddistingue il terzo movimento che conduce all'apoteosi finale.

SKU: BT.DHP-1165729-130

English-German-French-Dutch.

In The Essence of Youth the composer gives an insight into childhood and youth — inspired by his own daughter. The opening of sparking rhythms, dynamic contrasts and changes of time signature paint a vivid picture of the unpredictability of children. The first and second movements recount the love — and also tension and the worries — in the adult-child bond, through dissonant harmonies but also pretty melodies. The fugue-like ending leads to a final splendid chorale: a picture of proud parents with their child!

In The Essence of Youth geeft de componist zijn visie op de kindertijd en de jeugd. Zijn eigen dochter vormde hierbij een belangrijke inspiratiebron. De opening staat met opgewekte ritmes, dynamische contrasten en maatsoortwisselingen voor de spontaniteit van kinderen. Het eerste en tweede deel vertellen over de liefde, zorg en toewijding die horen bij een ouder-kindrelatie. Met dissonante harmonieën, maar ook met mooie melodieën weet de componist dit prachtig te verbeelden. Een fuga leidt ten slotte naar een prachtig koraal: de trotse ouders met hun kind verbeeldend.

In The Essence of Youth beschreibt der Komponist sein Bild von Kindheit und Jugend - inspiriert von seiner eigenen Tochter. Die Eröffnung steht mit aufgeweckten Rhythmen, dynamischen Kontrasten, Taktartwechseln fu r die Unberechenbarkeit von Kindern. Der erste und zweite Satz erzählen mit dissonanten Harmonien, aber auch mit schönen Melodien von Spannungen, Liebe und Sorge in der Eltern-Kind-Beziehung. Den Schluss bildet eine Fuge, die zu einem prachtvollen Choral fu hrt: ein Bild stolzer Eltern mit ihrem Kind!

Cette composition reflète ce que le compositeur considère comme les caractéristiques typiques de la jeunesse : une mélodie éclatante pleine de rythmes vifs, des contrastes dynamiques et des changements de tempi qui se combinent pour symboliser l’énergie débordante des enfants, ainsi que la tension entre parents et enfant. Un passage lyrique exprime l’amour parental par des lignes mélodiques très subtiles. Les notes s’égrènent, le charme opère !

The Essence of Youth è un brano che riflette ciò che il compositore, ispirato da sua figlia, considera come le caratteristiche tipiche della gioventù. Un’ouverture spettacolare nella quale contrasti dinamici e dai ritmi vivaci si susseguono come a simboleggiare la straordinaria energia dei bambini. Il primo movimento, sulla scia dell’introduzione, anticipa una parte di solo che accompagna al secondo movimento, testimonianza dell’amore infinito dei genitori nei confronti dei figli. Una fuga basata sul tema iniziale contraddistingue il terzo movimento che conduce all’apoteosi finale.

SKU: CF.YAS10

ISBN 9780825848261. UPC: 798408048266. 8.5 X 11 inches. Key: D major.

When traveling through the desert southwest of the United States, you may be fortunate enough to come across a strange looking brown and white streaked bird called the Roadrunner. It has a blue patch of skin circling the eyes, a tiny dot of bright red behind the eyes, a bushy crest on the top of its head and a long tail that bobs up and down. A member of the cuckoo family, it is New Mexico's state bird, and can run in bursts of speed from between ten to twenty miles per hour. Because it is equipped to run rather than fly, its feet are different from other bird species, having two toes in front and two toes in the back. Its tracks looks like the letter X. Although roadrunners can become airborne, they are basically ground birds and do not fly. They eat insects, scorpions, small rodents, birds, lizards and snakes. They do make noise when in danger; however, the clicks and clatters do not resemble the sound of a honking horn that we think of from the Hollywood cartoon version of roadrunners. The repeated notes in the opening melody of Roadrunner Rally will remind you of the sight of a roadrunner traveling along at breakneck speed. A crisp spiccato accompanied by pizzicato in the cello and bass paints the picture of the bird running through the desert. At m. 17 you will hear that raucous honk, honk that is associated with the roadrunner saying Out of my way! The syncopation can easily be learned by feel as well as by counting carefully. At m. 25 and similar passages, the first violins will have fun learning the jazz licks. The walking bass like at m.69 with the jerky sound of the octaves in the upper strings will remind you of the awkward appearance of this ungainly bird. And of course, Roadrunner Rally ends with a loudly emphasized honking noise, the beep that we associate with the humorous picture of the roadrunner.
When traveling through the desert southwest of the United States, you may be fortunate enough to come across a strange looking brown and white streaked bird called the Roadrunner. It has a blue patch of skin circling the eyes, a tiny dot of bright red behind the eyes, a bushy crest on the top of its head and a long tail that bobs up and down. A member of the cuckoo family, it is New Mexico's state bird, and can run in bursts of speed from between ten to twenty miles per hour. Because it is equipped to run rather than fly, its feet are different from other bird species, having two toes in front and two toes in the back. Its tracks looks like the letter X. Although roadrunners can become airborne, they are basically ground birds and do not fly. They eat insects, scorpions, small rodents, birds, lizards and snakes. They do make noise when in danger; however, the clicks and clatters do not resemble the sound of a honking horn that we think of from the Hollywood cartoon version of roadrunners. The repeated notes in the opening melody ofA Roadrunner Rally will remind you of the sight of a roadrunner traveling along at breakneck speed. A crisp spiccato accompanied by pizzicato in the cello and bass paints the picture of the bird running through the desert. At m. 17 you will hear that raucous honk, honk that is associated with the roadrunner saying Out of my way! The syncopation can easily be learned by feel as well as by counting carefully. At m. 25 and similar passages, the first violins will have fun learning the jazz licks. The walking bass like at m.69 with the jerky sound of the octaves in the upper strings will remind you of the awkward appearance of this ungainly bird. And of course,A Roadrunner Rally ends with a loudly emphasized honking noise, theA beep that we associate with the humorous picture of the roadrunner.
When traveling through the desert southwest of the United States, you may be fortunate enough to come across a strange looking brown and white streaked bird called the Roadrunner. It has a blue patch of skin circling the eyes, a tiny dot of bright red behind the eyes, a bushy crest on the top of its head and a long tail that bobs up and down. A member of the cuckoo family, it is New Mexico's state bird, and can run in bursts of speed from between ten to twenty miles per hour. Because it is equipped to run rather than fly, its feet are different from other bird species, having two toes in front and two toes in the back. Its tracks looks like the letter X. Although roadrunners can become airborne, they are basically ground birds and do not fly. They eat insects, scorpions, small rodents, birds, lizards and snakes. They do make noise when in danger; however, the clicks and clatters do not resemble the sound of a honking horn that we think of from the Hollywood cartoon version of roadrunners. The repeated notes in the opening melody ofA Roadrunner Rally will remind you of the sight of a roadrunner traveling along at breakneck speed. A crisp spiccato accompanied by pizzicato in the cello and bass paints the picture of the bird running through the desert. At m. 17 you will hear that raucous honk, honk that is associated with the roadrunner saying Out of my way! The syncopation can easily be learned by feel as well as by counting carefully. At m. 25 and similar passages, the first violins will have fun learning the jazz licks. The walking bass like at m.69 with the jerky sound of the octaves in the upper strings will remind you of the awkward appearance of this ungainly bird. And of course,A Roadrunner Rally ends with a loudly emphasized honking noise, theA beep that we associate with the humorous picture of the roadrunner.
When traveling through the desert southwest of the United States, you may be fortunate enough to come across a strange looking brown and white streaked bird called the Roadrunner. It has a blue patch of skin circling the eyes, a tiny dot of bright red behind the eyes, a bushy crest on the top of its head and a long tail that bobs up and down. A member of the cuckoo family, it is New Mexico's state bird, and can run in bursts of speed from between ten to twenty miles per hour. Because it is equipped to run rather than fly, its feet are different from other bird species, having two toes in front and two toes in the back. Its tracks looks like the letter X. Although roadrunners can become airborne, they are basically ground birds and do not fly. They eat insects, scorpions, small rodents, birds, lizards and snakes. They do make noise when in danger; however, the clicks and clatters do not resemble the sound of a honking horn that we think of from the Hollywood cartoon version of roadrunners. The repeated notes in the opening melody of Roadrunner Rally will remind you of the sight of a roadrunner traveling along at breakneck speed. A crisp spiccato accompanied by pizzicato in the cello and bass paints the picture of the bird running through the desert. At m. 17 you will hear that raucous honk, honk that is associated with the roadrunner saying Out of my way! The syncopation can easily be learned by feel as well as by counting carefully. At m. 25 and similar passages, the first violins will have fun learning the jazz licks. The walking bass like at m.69 with the jerky sound of the octaves in the upper strings will remind you of the awkward appearance of this ungainly bird. And of course, Roadrunner Rally ends with a loudly emphasized honking noise, the beep that we associate with the humorous picture of the roadrunner.
When traveling through the desert southwest of the United States, you may be fortunate enough to come across a strange looking brown and white streaked bird called the Roadrunner. It has a blue patch of skin circling the eyes, a tiny dot of bright red behind the eyes, a bushy crest on the top of its head and a long tail that bobs up and down. A member of the cuckoo family, it is New Mexico's state bird, and can run in bursts of speed from between ten to twenty miles per hour. Because it is equipped to run rather than fly, its feet are different from other bird species, having two toes in front and two toes in the back. Its tracks looks like the letter X. Although roadrunners can become airborne, they are basically ground birds and do not fly. They eat insects, scorpions, small rodents, birds, lizards and snakes. They do make noise when in danger; however, the clicks and clatters do not resemble the sound of a honking horn that we think of from the Hollywood cartoon version of roadrunners. The repeated notes in the opening melody of Roadrunner Rally will remind you of the sight of a roadrunner traveling along at breakneck speed. A crisp spiccato accompanied by pizzicato in the cello and bass paints the picture of the bird running through the desert. At m. 17 you will hear that raucous honk, honk that is associated with the roadrunner saying Out of my way! The syncopation can easily be learned by feel as well as by counting carefully. At m. 25 and similar passages, the first violins will have fun learning the jazz licks. The walking bass like at m.69 with the jerky sound of the octaves in the upper strings will remind you of the awkward appearance of this ungainly bird. And of course, Roadrunner Rally ends with a loudly emphasized honking noise, the beep that we associate with the humorous picture of the roadrunner.
When traveling through the desert southwest of the United States, you may be fortunate enough to come across a strange looking brown and white streaked bird called the Roadrunner. It has a blue patch of skin circling the eyes, a tiny dot of bright red behind the eyes, a bushy crest on the top of its head and a long tail that bobs up and down. A member of the cuckoo family, it is New Mexico's state bird, and can run in bursts of speed from between ten to twenty miles per hour. Because it is equipped to run rather than fly, its feet are different from other bird species, having two toes in front and two toes in the back. Its tracks looks like the letter X. Although roadrunners can become airborne, they are basically ground birds and do not fly. They eat insects, scorpions, small rodents, birds, lizards and snakes. They do make noise when in danger; however, the clicks and clatters do not resemble the sound of a honking horn that we think of from the Hollywood cartoon version of roadrunners.The repeated notes in the opening melody of Roadrunner Rally will remind you of the sight of a roadrunner traveling along at breakneck speed. A crisp spiccato accompanied by pizzicato in the cello and bass paints the picture of the bird running through the desert. At m. 17 you will hear that raucous honk, honk that is associated with the roadrunner saying Out of my way! The syncopation can easily be learned by feel as well as by counting carefully. At m. 25 and similar passages, the first violins will have fun learning the jazz licks. The walking bass like at m.69 with the jerky sound of the octaves in the upper strings will remind you of the awkward appearance of this ungainly bird. And of course, Roadrunner Rally ends with a loudly emphasized honking noise, the  beep that we associate with the humorous picture of the roadrunner.

SKU: LO.10-5727L

ISBN 9780787777661.

A lilting 6/8 meter is the perfect backdrop for this expressive Bert Stratton text. While the words paint a picture of the angels visiting the shepherds and the shepherds hastening to worship the Christ-child, Patti's melodic writing is full of ethereal grace and beauty. A brief, but meaningful Alleluia section closes out each refrain, and the music culminates with the choir singing, We lift our voices high, we celebrate His birth, a long-awaited sign to all across the earth..