SKU: PR.114418110

ISBN 9781491111994. UPC: 680160640423.

The film noir genre of 1940s cinema typically includes a strong but flawed male lead (often a detective), a beautiful woman who coerces the male into committing murder or is a killer herself (a “femme fatale”), and a twisting plot line that involves one or more homicides. These movies typically are shot in black and white, with emphasis on shadows and light, alcohol and cigarettes, trench coats and fedoras. Most of the story lines do not have happy endings. Inspired by this genre, NOIR VIGNETTES consists of four movements, each depicting an aspect of film noir: Murder at Midnight, Loaded Gun, Femme Fatale, and Last Cigarette. String bass parts are provided both for standard orchestral tuning and for solo tuning.
In the mid-1940s, film critics in France noticed a trend emerging in movies from the United States, which they coined film noir (which translates to “black film”). These movies were dark, moody, and pessimistic, reflecting the agitation and anxiety present in society following World War II. Several characteristics are commonly found in many of these movies, including a strong but flawed male lead (often a detective), a beautiful woman who either coerces the male lead into committing murder for her or is a killer herself (a “femme fatale”), and a twisting, turning plot line that involves one or more homicides. Additionally, there are several visual elements that these movies share: many are shot in black and white, with great emphasis on the use of shadows and light; alcohol and cigarettes are heavily consumed by men and women alike; and men typically wear trench coats and fedoras. Most of the story lines do not have happy endings. Examples of film noir include Orson Welles’ The Lady from Shanghai, Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity, and John Huston’s The Maltese Falcon.NOIR VIGNETTES for Double Bass and Piano consists of four movements, each depicting a different aspect of film noir: Murder at Midnight, Loaded Gun, Femme Fatale, and Last Cigarette.This piece was commissioned by the University of Illinois Research Board on behalf of double bassist Michael Cameron.-Stacy Garrop.

SKU: PR.342402020

ISBN 9781598064995. UPC: 680160616084. 8.5 x 11 inches. English. Text: William Shakespeare; Aurelius Prudentius Clemens; Aeschylus. Aurelius Clemens, William Shakespeare, Aeschylus. Texts from Aurelius Prudentius Clemens, Aeschylus, and William Shakespeare.

When Tim Sharp, Executive Director of the ACDA, offered Stucky the Brock Memorial Commission, it was decided that the text would commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, since the annual convention would take place in Dallas of that year. To that end, Stucky chose four different but pertinent texts to honor the occasion, although never referencing JFK by name. Take Him, Earth was premiered at the ACDA convention in March, 2013. Originally scored for chorus and chamber ensemble of nine instruments (available on a rental basis), Take Him, Earth is presented here in piano reduction. For advanced choirs. Duration: 13'.
When Tim Sharp, Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association, very kindlyoffered me the Raymond W. Brock Memorial Commission for 2013, he suggested that because thepremiere would take place at the national conference in Dallas in the 50th year since the assassinationof John F. Kennedy in that city, the text might refer in some way to that grim anniversary. Hesuggested, too, that I consider using a chamber ensemble or chamber orchestra to accompany thechorus.I took these suggestions to heart, but at the same time I wanted to write something universal enoughto be appropriate on other occasions, in other settings. Thus the score is dedicated to PresidentKennedy’s memory, but otherwise he is never referred to by name. Instead, I assembled a group oftexts that are associated with him in some way, but that also stand alone as a more general eulogy.As a refrain, there are a few lines from the early Christian burial hymn that begins “Take him,Earth, for cherishing” — lines that were earlier set to music by Herbert Howells in his classic motetcommissioned for Kennedy’s memorial service in 1963. The lines of Aeschylus “Drop, drop — inour sleep, upon the heart sorrow falls” from Agamemnon were quoted by Robert F. Kennedy uponthe death of Martin Luther King in April 1968. The celebrated “When he shall die, cut him out inlittle stars” from Act III of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was cited by RFK a few months after hisbrother’s murder.