SKU: CL.CTS-7741-00

Commissioned by the National Honorary Band Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi and the National Honorary Band Sorority of Tau Beta Sigma, this sparkling masterwork contains four distinctive movements highlighting Smith’s use of unique harmonic language, lavish melodies and imaginative rhythms. A virtuosic work for advanced wind ensembles.

SKU: CL.CTS-8061-01

Juvenescence is a great opener for any program or as a stand alone piece. It’s very accessible for most junior high through high school bands. The mixed meter will provide teaching moments as well as a break in the rhythmic flows that students will enjoy!

SKU: FA.MFCD017B

8.27 x 11.69 inches.

Contains Le Roi Lear: Prelude,Premiere Fanfare, and La Mort de Cordelia,Toomai des elephants, Rodrigue et Chimene: Prelude a l'acte 1p. Le Martyre de Saint Sebastien: La Passion , and No-ja-li ou Le Palais du Silence

From Robert Orledge's notes:

My interest in the wonderful music of Claude Debussy began in the 1980s when I researched and published a book with Cambridge University Press entitled Debussy and the Theatre. During the course of my studies in Paris, I was amazed to discover that Debussy planned over 50 theatrical works but only finished two of these entirely by himself (the opera Pelleas et Melisande in 1893-1902 and the ballet Jeux for Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in 1912-13). Of the rest, many were never started musically (like Siddartha and Orphee-roi with the Oriental scholar Victor Segalen, 1907); some had a few tantalising sketches (like the Edgar Allan Poe opera Le Diable dans le beffroi, 1902-03); some were half-finished (like his other Poe opera La Chute de la Maison Usher, 1908-17); while others were musically complete but had their orchestrations completed by other composers (like Khamma, by Charles Koechlin, 1912-13; or Le Martyre de Saint Sebastien and La Boite a joujoux by his 'angel of corrections' ['l'ange des Corrections'] Andre Caplet in 1911 and 1919 respectively).

For it has to be admitted that what some scholars call Debussy's 'compulsive achievement' could equally well be viewed as laziness, especially as far as the minute detail required for calligraphing his orchestral scores was concerned. It was as if creating the music itself was of greater importance than controlling its final sound, even if Debussy was an imaginative orchestrator when he found the time and energy to do it. It also seems true that Debussy also preferred inventing ideas to turning them into complete pieces. However, despite the lack of detail in many of his sketches (missing clefs, key signatures, dynamics, phrasing, etc.) the notes themselves are surprisingly accurate, whether or not they can be compared with a later draft. Thus, a large number of sketches exist for his Chinese ballet No-ja-li ou Le Palais du Silence and it is not too difficult to see which parts of Georges de Feure's 1913 scenario (see below) inspired which ideas. But Debussy hardly made any attempt to join them together after the first few bars.

It was usually up to his publisher, Jacques Durand, to find solutions when Debussy risked a breach of contract. Debussy was supposed to supervise the orchestrations completed by others, but this supervision was usually very light and restricted to quiet, sensitive moments in which problems were easier to spot. Far from jealously guarding every one of his created notes, as Ravel did, Debussy once even went as far as to ask Koechlin to 'write a ballet for him that he would sign' on 26 March 1914 when he was hard-pressed to fulfil his lucrative contract for No-ja-li with Andre Charlot at the Alhambra Theatre in London. In the end, Debussy (through Durand) sent Charlot the symphonic suite Printemps instead, whose orchestration had been completed by Henri Busser in the Spring of 1912.

So, when I was offered early retirement as Professor of Music at Liverpool University in 2004, I seized the opportunity it would give me to spend time trying to reconstruct some of Debussy's lost potential masterpieces from his existing sketches and drafts--then orchestrating them in Debussy's style when this was appropriate. I had begun this mission in 2001 with the most promising project, the missing parts of Scene 2 of La Chute de la Maison Usher and the sheer joy it gave me at every stage persuaded me to tackle other projects, especially when Debussy experts were unable to identify exactly where I took over from Debussy (and vice versa) in Usher.

SKU: LM.27938

ISBN 9790230979382.

LE FORESTIER Maxime : Education sentimentale - La Visite - Ambalaba - DUTEIL Yves : La Tarentelle - L'opera - Le petit pont de bois - MITCHELL Eddy : La derniere seance - Couleur menthe a l'eau - J'ai oublie de l'oublier - NOUGARO Claude : Le Jazz et la java - Armstrong - Toulouse.

SKU: CL.CTS-8059-00

The original of this arrangement continues to be one of Claude T. Smith’s most performed works. The opening theme sparkles with rhythmic energy and harmonic structure that never grow old. The Andante section is a beautiful contrast to the main theme occurring in neighboring sections. This flexible arrangement allows ensembles to perform the work with as few as thirteen musicians providing accessibility and flexibility for numerous instrumentation needs, while still allowing a full ensemble sound. *The posted recording is based on the full band scoring but aligns with the suggested preferences for either woodwinds/strings or brass suggested in the score.

SKU: CL.CTS-8030-01

Tarantella from Incidental Suite is the first movement of this suite originally scored for concert band. Claude T. Smith has elevated the basic meaning of tarantella creating engaging rhythmic interest throughout the duration of the movement. This flexible arrangement allows ensembles to perform the work with as few as fourteen musicians providing accessibility and flexibility for numerous instrumentation needs, while still allowing a full ensemble sound. *The posted recording is based on the full band scoring but aligns with the suggested preferences for either woodwinds/strings or brass suggested in the score.

SKU: CL.CTS-8029-01

God of Our Fathers is based on the hymn with the same name and is one of the most iconic American Christian hymns dating back to the 19th-century. Claude T. Smith’s concert band arrangement of this hymn has become a staple of band literature. This flexible arrangement allows ensembles to perform the work with as few as fourteen musicians providing accessibility and flexibility for numerous instrumentation needs, while still allowing a full ensemble sound. *The posted recording is based on the full band scoring but aligns with the suggested preferences for either woodwinds/strings or brass suggested in the score.

SKU: CL.CTS-8068-01

This late 19th century Christmas carol, also known as O Come, All Ye Faithful, is a traditional favorite. Claude T. Smith masterfully crafted his arrangement of this cherished carol to form a symphonic prelude that continually pleases the performers and audience alike. This flexible arrangement allows ensembles to perform the work with as few as thirteen musicians providing accessibility and flexibility for numerous instrumentation needs, while still allowing a full ensemble sound. *The posted recording is based on the full band scoring but aligns with the suggested preferences for either woodwinds/strings or brass suggested in the score.

SKU: CL.CTS-8029-00

God of Our Fathers is based on the hymn with the same name and is one of the most iconic American Christian hymns dating back to the 19th-century. Claude T. Smith’s concert band arrangement of this hymn has become a staple of band literature. This flexible arrangement allows ensembles to perform the work with as few as fourteen musicians providing accessibility and flexibility for numerous instrumentation needs, while still allowing a full ensemble sound. *The posted recording is based on the full band scoring but aligns with the suggested preferences for either woodwinds/strings or brass suggested in the score.

SKU: CL.CTS-8059-01

The original of this arrangement continues to be one of Claude T. Smith’s most performed works. The opening theme sparkles with rhythmic energy and harmonic structure that never grow old. The Andante section is a beautiful contrast to the main theme occurring in neighboring sections. This flexible arrangement allows ensembles to perform the work with as few as thirteen musicians providing accessibility and flexibility for numerous instrumentation needs, while still allowing a full ensemble sound. *The posted recording is based on the full band scoring but aligns with the suggested preferences for either woodwinds/strings or brass suggested in the score.

SKU: CL.CTS-8003-00

America The Beautiful continues to be an expression of patriotism at its finest. It conveys an attitude of appreciation and gratitude for the nation's extraordinary physical beauty and abundance, without triumphalism. Claude T. Smith’s arrangement of this masterpiece generates a fresh take on this song reviving the hope we share for our dear America. This flexible arrangement allows ensembles to perform the work with as few as thirteen musicians providing accessibility and flexibility for numerous instrumentation needs, while still allowing a full ensemble sound. *The posted recording is based on the full band scoring but aligns with the suggested preferences for either woodwinds/strings or brass suggested in the score.

SKU: CL.CTS-8012-01

Dedicated to William (Bill) Maupin, a friend and fellow music educator of Claude T. Smith, Castlebrooke Overture is a perfect piece to introduce younger ensembles to meter changes and a couple measures in 3/8 time. This flexible arrangement allows ensembles to perform the work with as few as ten musicians providing accessibility and flexibility for numerous instrumentation needs, while still allowing a full ensemble sound. *The posted recording is based on the full band scoring but aligns with the suggested preferences for either woodwinds/strings or brass suggested in the score.

SKU: CL.CTS-8063-01

Claude T. Smith’s setting of For The Beauty Of The Earth as this chorale prelude develops the original hymn by Conrad Kocher. It celebrates our beautiful Earth, the skies above us, and the joy of loving one another. This flexible arrangement allows ensembles to perform the work with as few as nine musicians providing accessibility and flexibility for numerous instrumentation needs, while still allowing a full ensemble sound. *The posted recording is based on the full band scoring but aligns with the suggested preferences for either woodwinds/strings or brass suggested in the score.

SKU: CL.CTS-7960-17

Impromptu for Bassoon and Piano is an energetic, lyrical solo, written for Smith's daughter, Pam, and easily accessible for a high school or college bassoonist. Based on a lighthearted melody, the solo has some technical passages based on arpeggios, challenging rhythmic passages in Smith's signature 7/8 and 9/8 bars and a complementary piano accompaniment. Bassoonists will enjoy performing this work which explores the entire range of the instrument, challenging the bassoonist to portray both expressive and spirited styles.

SKU: CL.CTS-8010-00

Translated as Sound of The Winds, Sonus Ventorum begins with a dramatic opening for full band segueing into an energetic allegro section. This flexible arrangement allows ensembles to perform the work with as few as fourteen musicians providing accessibility and flexibility for numerous instrumentation needs, while still allowing a full ensemble sound. The posted recording is based on the full band scoring but aligns with the suggested preferences for either woodwinds/strings or brass suggested in the score.