SKU: CY.CC2769

As the title suggests the work dying and dancing for Euphonium solo and Piano accompaniment is in two parts, which are played without a pause between the two.

The first part, an adagio, is not necessarily meant to be evocative of the actual act of passing away, but more perhaps of the contemplation and reflection upon one's life as that time approaches, and particularly of sorrow over regret and disappointment. The unsettled mood of the music reflects this bitterness, and stands in contrast to the expansive peace of the grave, heard at the beginning and end of the adagio.

Dance, with ironic wit, the second part, is the other side of the same coin; perhaps humor of the gallows describes its spirit. At once fatalist and mocking, it brings to mind the words of the ancient teacher Koheleth, The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

I was pleased to compose dying and dancing in 2013 for Mark Kellogg, a superb Euphonium artist and my former trombone iProfessor at the Eastman School of Music.

SKU: CY.CC2588

The Quelques Dances (Some Dances) Opus 26, arranged by Ralph Sauer for Euphonium and Piano were originally composed for Piano during the summer of 1896. The four movements are:
Dedicace
Sarabande
Pavane
Forlane

Opus 26 is dedicated to Madame Robert de Bonnieres. Many of Chausson's trademarks are present in this work: lyricism, sensuousness, stateliness and beautiful part-writing combined with constant harmonic progression.
This work of 15 minutes in length is appropriate for advanced performers.

The mp3 sound clip features Ralph Sauer (Trombone) and Miriam Hickman (Piano).

SKU: CY.CC2656

--This work is the third from a collection of five short pieces Beethoven wrote for Flotenuhr or mechanical clock, discovered a number of years after his death.

--Their true origin was uncovered by Professor Albert Kopfermann, a German musician/librarian, who solved the mystery about their instrumentation.

--This delightful Allegro movement has been transposed into the key of D from G and arranged for moderately advanced performers by Ralph Sauer.

--Your audience will love this little gem as the clock slows down and stops before the final cadence. It will make a great encore piece.

SKU: CY.CC2763

The Four Pieces, Op. 70 were written for Cello and Piano in Berlin, 1896. The four movements are titled:

Aria, Finnish, Scottish and Swedish

1. Aria is an Adagio in A minor reminiscent of the Kol Nidre
2. Finnish is a brooding lyrical Andante in G Minor
3. Scottish is a proud song in B major with dotted rhythms
4. Swedish, an unruly Allegro dance in A-B-A form in A minor

For advanced performers, this work of about 12 minutes in length has been superbly arranged by Ralph Sauer.

SKU: CY.CC2745

Impromptu is a piano work which Dvorak wrote in 1883 at the behest his friend Vaclav Juda Novotny to be inserted as a supplement into his music magazine. It has an A-B-A form containing some very beautiful melodies and much expression.

The piece was forgotten and considered lost but then showed up decades later in a private collection.

The music is about 6 minutes in duration and is appropriate for advanced performers.

SKU: CY.CC2496

* Alexander Scriabin's music has been described as mystical, lyrical and idiosyncratic. * He was a most innovative and controversial early modern Russian composer. * Scriabin's works were ignored for many years until recently and are now seen as sincere expression(s) of genius. * The Three Etudes for Euphonium and Piano are early works of Scriabin, originally written for solo Piano. * They show lyricism, passion, moodiness, chromatic harmonies and great expression. * Mr. Sauer has once again arranged three wonderful new works for advanced performers who wish to explore Scriabin's music, largely unknown to the Euphonium world. * Those who do will be richly rewarded with the great depth of musicianship found in these works. * The three movements are about 9-10 in length and suitable for advanced performers.