SKU: MH.0-931329-53-1

ISBN 9780931329531.

Journey back to ancient Greece and view a place of long-gone legend. Follow the trail to the Kingdom of Ithaca, from the heroic palace, to a place of tranquility, to a reckless dance of abandon, to the return of Odysseus. The melodic material used in 200 B.C. is from a two thousand year old Greek hymn to Apollo. The legendary adventures of Odysseus as described by Homer in the Odyssey (ca. 700 B.C.) provide the programmatic material. The music is freely based upon the First Delphic Hymn (or Paen to Apollo), composed ca. 200 B.C. The source is a transcription appearing on pages 363 - 367 of Ancient and Oriental Music, Edited by Egon Wellesz (Oxford University Press: London, 1957). Each movement of the work depicts a key event in the epic Homeric poem, as described below. Movement I: Intrada - The first four notes of this movement, C - Bb - G - Bb, are the melodic and harmonic foundation for the entire work. These pitches, introduced in a simple and direct manner, are subsequently developed in more complex fashions throughout the suite. Following this stately introduction is a militaristic fanfare that introduces the dotted-eighth and sixteenth-note figure later reprised in the second and fourth movements. Indeed, all the musical ideas which will be central to the remaining movements first appear in the Intrada. This movement depicts the grandeur of Odysseus and his kingdom in Ithaca, and establishes the heroic mood of the entire work. Movement II: Ballad - After a brief restatement of the opening dotted-eighth-and-sixteenth fanfare, the second movement extracts the falling third (Bb to G) from the C - Bb - G - Bb motif and extends it and expands it into a haunting solo for alto saxophone. The C - Bb - G - Bb motif appears again (see measures 23 - 33 in trumpets) as counterpoint to this melody, now pulsing through the thick texture of the band. Many performers have come to view the Ballad as the emotional epicenter of the entire suite; my conception of the Ballad is to achieve a union of pathos and strength. Programmatically, this movement depicts Odysseus's son, Telemachos, as he both longs for Odysseus's return and stoically defends his father's kingdom. Movement III: Dance - It will take Odysseus twenty years to return to Ithaca. During his absence, noblemen besiege his palace, violating the sanctity of the household and seeking the hand of his wife, Penelope. This movement depicts the wanton revelries that result. The original four-note motif is chromatically altered and the meter is made irregular. The rapid tempo, driving percussion, and angular meter and melodies combine in an explosion of reckless abandon. Movement IV: March Building from a delicate woodwind ensemble accompanied by finger cymbals to a fully orchestrated statement replete with thundering percussion, this is a resounding march of victory. Odysseus has returned in triumph to restore dignity to his household and to reclaim the throne of the Kingdom of Ithaca. Ensemble instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 8 Flute 1 - 2, 2 Oboe 1 - 2, 4 Bb Clarinet 1, 4 Bb Clarinet 2, 4 Bb Clarinet 3, 1 Eb Alto Clarinet, 3 Bb Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoon 1 - 2, 3 Eb Alto Saxophone 1, 3 Eb Alto Saxophone 2, 2 Bb Tenor Saxophone, 1 Eb Baritone Saxophone, 3 Bb Trumpet 1, 3 Bb Trumpet 2, 3 Bb Trumpet 3, 2 F Horn 1-2, 2 F Horn 3-4, 2 Trombone 1, 2 Trombone 2, 2 Trombone 3, 3 Euphonium (B.C.), 2 Euphonium T.C., 4 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 2 Mallet Percussion: Bells, Xylophone, 2 Percussion 1: Snare Drum, Tambourine, 2 Percussion 2: Crash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal, Tom-Tom, Finger Cymbals, 1 Percussion 3: Bass Drum.

SKU: SU.29000230

A colorful book from the mind and hand of the great master jazz pianist. It's a kick to make something out of nothing. It seems most people like to do this. The lady of the house takes a look at an empty kitchen table and envisions a table setting including flowers and napkins with a particular design. Or an architect sees an empty lot and envisions a new apartment building in that space complete with interior and exterior colors and materials. Or anybody, including myself, takes a look at a blank piece of paper and starts drawing shapes on it......There's another very human tendency - and that's to want to attach meaning and significance to things in life - to a song, to an event, to something viewed - literally to anything. It's usually an automatic thing. Everything needs to mean something. This tendency to attach meaning is also a kind of creativity, I suppose. But I find that, unless there is also a sufficient amount of creation without meaning or purpose then the motions and emotions of living can become bogged down with too much weighty significance. - Chick Corea (Excerpted from the foreward to Creativity & Doodling) Book size: 6x6 36 pages Published by: Chick Corea Productions.

SKU: CL.032-3591-01

Smooth-out the bumps in your concert! This bluesy, minor-key shuffle features infectious unison riffs contrasted with hard-hitting ensemble sections, over a really swinging groove. An open section provides ample opportunity for your soloists (suggested solos are included). With a shout chorus ending that builds from a whisper to a roar, Another Bump In The Road will bring down the house!

SKU: FG.55011-554-5

ISBN 9790550115545.

Harri Wessman (b. 1949) is interested in all aspects of music that may be expressive, without in any way ignoring the possibilities of melody. He himself describes his harmonic method as a kind of contrapuntally treated jazz harmony. During recent years pedagogic music has become a more and more central area in his output with an emphasis on creating repertoire for budding musicians, from beginners to young professionals. I don't write children's music. Stylistically I write in the same way as for professionals; technically, the pieces just have to be easier to play. Concertino No. 2 for piano and chamber orchestra was commissioned by a Finnish press house Yhtyneet Kuvalehdet Oy for the inauguration of their new office building in 1987. According to the original plan the concertino was to be used in an advertising film of the company. A melody with wide arch which can be heard in the midpoint of the piece, first played by the orchestra and then repeated with the piano, was intended to be the theme song of the film. The 10 minutes duration and small orchestra (flute, oboe, clarinet and strings) makes this one movement piece suitable also for young orchestra players.

SKU: CL.LDP-7160-01

This work begins with great energy and intensity, and builds vigorously throughout. A science-fiction adventure movie theme is depicted, allowing childhood imaginations to supply the details. Outstanding writing, especially for the percussion, who are featured from beginning to end. A powerhouse for young band!

SKU: CL.LDP-7160-00

This work begins with great energy and intensity, and builds vigorously throughout. A science-fiction adventure movie theme is depicted, allowing childhood imaginations to supply the details. Outstanding writing, especially for the percussion, who are featured from beginning to end. A powerhouse for young band!

SKU: CL.032-4842-01

Avalon is a 1920s jazz-era chart by Vincent Rose and Buddy DeSylva, written originally as an advertisement for the California resort town, and has found fame as a virtuosic showcase for big bands and many vocalists ever since. This big-band version by Mike Hammonds is a real powerhouse! Featuring a melody that’s tuneful and playable by all, the arrangement begins in a small group style, building to a kick section featuring the big, brash sound of the large ensemble that gives everybody a chance to blow! With reasonable tempo and ranges in all parts, Avalon is an excellent choice for your next festival or concert performance!