SKU: PR.465000110

ISBN 9781598062090. UPC: 680160575442.

Castle Creek was written by Dan Welcher in celebration of the Aspen Music Festival's 40th anniversary, and served as a special tribute to the Festival's longtime President, Gordon Hardy. Castle Creek itself is a tributary of the Roaring Fork River on which the Aspen Music Festival campus (as well as Hardy's home) is built. Gordon's initials (G.A.H.) are used as the musical basis for the fanfare, which is centered on the ascending pitches G, A and B, and reflects the upward motion and positivity of the Aspen Music Festival itself. For advanced players. Duration: 5'.
Program Note by the ComposerThere is no “secret program” or hidden meaning in this lively, five-minute work: it was intended as a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Aspen Music Festival, and as a special tribute to the Festival’s longtime President, Gordon Hardy. The title CASTLE CREEK refers to a tributary of the Roaring Fork River on which the Aspen Music Festival campus (as well as Mr. Hardy’s home) is built.The work pays homage to Gordon Hardy by utilizing his initials (“G.A.H.”) as a musical motive: the three letters correspond to the pitches G, A, and B). This three-note group forms the basis of the fanfare that opens the work, and it also serves as an ostinato, a bass line, and a general means of organizing the work’s tonal centers. Because the three notes are in ascending order, the ever-upward direction of the Aspen Music Festival and the positive energy of Gordon Hardy are readily evident.The athletic fanfare that begins the work (marked “noble, but energetic”) is scored for brass and percussion alone, and may be played as a separate piece. The rest of the ensemble joins at the conclusion of the fanfare, and a spirited tune in 9/8 issues from the woodwinds. After this is given a thorough workout, a middle section in faster 3/4 time provides machine-like energy. Perhaps it is the energy of the Festival, in high gear. At the height of this, the music of the fanfare returns in broad open notes in the brass, with the machine still pulsing in support. The overture ends in a burst of motion, with the three-note motive in its highest transposition.My colleague and former student Paul Bissell made this excellent transcription from the orchestral original.

SKU: BT.DHP-1094729-010

9x12 inches.

This work takes both its name and inspiration from a lighthouse “Sword Cape” that keeps watch near Japan’s naval base. The piece describes how, come rain or shine, the lighthouse bids a safe journey to departing ships, guides them during their travels and eventually welcomes them home again. The music evokes many musical images - grand ships sailing by, white-capped waves, the deep blue of the ocean and the light of ‘sword cape” as it silently guides ships over the mysterious waters.

Dieses Werk wurde von einem Leuchtturm mit dem Namen Schwert-Kap“ inspiriert, der in der Nähe des Marinestützpunkts von Japan steht. Es beschreibt, wie die Schiffe bei jedem Wetter von diesem Leuchtturm verabschiedet, auf ihrem Weg geleitet und bei der Rückkehr willkommen geheißen werden. Dabei entstehen verschiedene musikalische Bilder vor dem inneren Auge des Zuhörers: das Vorbeiziehen eines Schiffes, weiße Wellen blauer See oder das Licht des Leuchtturm auf dem stillen Wasser bei Nebel.

Light of the Sword è un brano commissionato a Sakai dalla Banda Militare delle Forze marittime di autodifesa giapponesi di stanza nel porto di Yokosuka nella baia di Tokio. L’origine del titolo ha due significati: da una parte si ispira al faro di Tsurugizaki (letteralmente “estremit della spada”), la cui luce serve come punto di riferimento tra la terra ed il mare, e dall’altra alla luce emanata dalla spada che appartiene alla grande tradizione degli ufficiali di marina. Una marcia luminosa!