SKU: AP.43788S

UPC: 038081496627. English.

This appealing tango is full of drama and passion, with an aggressive, dark theme and strong rhythm. Each member of the ensemble gets a moment in the spotlight and will surely enjoy achieving the challenges of their part. The melody, countermelody, and tango rhythm will have them dancing! (2:00).

SKU: PR.41641576L

UPC: 680160636549. 11 x 17 inches.

The 1712 Overture stands out in P.D.Q. Bach's oeuvre for two reasons, among others: it is by far the most programmatic instrumental piece among those by the minimeister of Wein-am-Rhein so far unearthed, and 2) its discovery has led to a revelation about the composer's father, Johann Sebastian Bach, that has exploded like a bombshell on the usually serene musicological landscape. The overture is based on an anecdote told to P.D.Q. Bach by a cousin, Peter Ulrich. Since P.U. Bach lived in Dudeldorf, only a few miles down the road from Wein-am-Rhein, he was P.D.Q.'s closest relative, and he was, in fact, one of the few members of the family who was on speaking terms with P.D.Q. The story, related to P.D.Q. (fortunately for us posterity types) in a letter, may be summarized thus: The town of Dudeldorf was founded by two brothers, Rudi and Dieter Dudel, early in the 18th century. Rudi remained mayor of the newborn burg for the rest of his long life, but Dieter had a dream of starting a musicians' colony, an entire city devoted to music, which dream, he finally decided, could be realized only in the New World. In 1712, he and several other bagpipers sailed to Boston, never to return to Germany. (Henceforth, Rudi became known as der deutscher Dudel and Dieter as the Yankee Dudel). Unfortunately, the head of the Boston Musicians' Guild had gotten wind of Dudel's plans, and Wilhelm Wiesel (pron. VEE-zle), known none too affectionately around town as Wiesel the Weasel, was not about to share what few gigs there were in colonial America with more foreigners and outside agitators. He and his cronies were on hand to meet Dudel's boat when it pulled into Boston Harbor; they intended to prevent the newcomers' disembarkation, but Dudel and his companions managed to escape to the other side of the bay in a dinghy, landing with just enough time to rent a carriage and horses before hearing the sound of The Weasel and his men, who had had to come around the long way. The Germans headed West, with the Bostonians in furious pursuit. soon the city had been left far behind, and by midnight so had the pursuers; Dieter Dudel decided that it was safe for him and his men to stop and sleep until daybreak. When they awoke, they found that they were in a beautiful landscape of low, forested mountains and pleasant fields, warmed by the brilliant morning sun and serenaded by an entrancing variety of birds. Here, Dudel thought, her is where I will build my colony. The immigrants continued down the road at a leisurely pace until they came upon a little church, all by itself in the countryside, from which there suddenly emanated the sounds of a pipe organ. At this point, the temptation to quote from P.U. Bach's letter to P.D.Q. cannot be resisted: They went inside and, after listening to the glorious music for a while, introduced themselves to the organist. And who do you think it was? Are you ready for this -- it was your old man! Hey, no kidding -- you know, I'm sure, that your father was the guy to get when it came to testing new organs, and whoever had that one in Massachusetts built offered old Sebastian a tidy sum to go over there and check it out. The unexpected meeting with J.S. Bach and his sponsors was interrupted by the sound of horse hooves, as the dreaded Wiesel and his men thundered on to the scene. They had been riding all night, however, and they were no spring chickens to start with, and as soon as they reached the church they all dropped, exhausted, to the ground. The elated Germans rang the church bells and offered to buy everyone a beer at the nearest tavern. There they were taught, and joined in singing, what might be called the national anthem of the New World. The melody of this pre-revolutionary patriotic song is still remembered (P.D.Q. Bach quotes it, in the bass instruments, near the end of the overture), but is words are now all but forgotten: Freedom, of thee we sing, Freedom e'er is our goal; Death to the English King, Long live Rock and Ross. The striking paucity of biographical references to Johann Sebastian Bah during the year 1712 can now be explained: he was abroad for a significant part of that year, testing organs in the British Colonies. That this revelation has not been accepted as fact by the musicological establishment is no surprise, since it means that a lot of books would have to be rewritten. The members of that establishment haven't even accepted the existence of P.D.Q. Bach, one of whose major works the 1712 Overture certainly is. It is also a work that shows Tchaikowsky up as the shameless plagiarizer that some of us have always known he was. The discovery of this awesome opus was made possible by a Boston Pops Centennial Research Commission; the first modern performance took place at the opening concert of the 100th anniversary season of that orchestra, under the exciting but authentic direction of John Williams.

SKU: FG.55011-134-9

ISBN 9790550111349.

The five first of the six symphonies by Erkki Melartin (1875-1937), dated from 1903 to 1916, represent the National Romantic Finnish musical heritage based on Austo-German orchestral tradition. Melartin himself thought of Symphony No. 3 as his testament and a description of a battle towards enjoying life, since the time of its birth was a period when Melartin's own life nearly ended. He had fallen ill of tuberculosis, and partly had to give up his work as a composer and teacher of music theory in order to recover from the - at the time often fatal - disease in a local sanatorium. At the premiere the symphony had an impact on its audience, as it indeed seemed to describe the joys and sufferings and the final peace of mind of the composer. The new editions of Melartin's symphonies have born as a project of Erkki Melartin Society with support of the Finnish Cultural Foundation. The performance materials are available for hire from Fennica Gehrman.

SKU: AP.45876S

UPC: 038081523828. English.

Upon hearing the words Big Sky Country, one typically thinks of the western states; Montana in particular. This piece, however, depicts any place where the sky is vast, the view expansive, and the setting natural. The elements of the music, with sweeping melodic phrases and a few key changes (G, C, D), suggest a spirit of adventure, freedom, the outdoors, and the beauty of the land. This lively piece with melodic parts for all was arranged by Susan H. Day. It uses slurs, accents, divisi, syncopation, and accidentals, and will capture the enthusiasm of players and audience! (4:10).

SKU: TM.00032SET

Transposed: clarinets, horns, trumpets, trombones. Sol/pf with pull-out solo.

SKU: LO.30-2428L

UPC: 000308121704.

Pulsating rhythms, colorful harmonies, and soaring melodies highlight this glad offering of praise from Mark Hayes. Masterfully conveying the spirit of Pamela Martin’s text, Hayes’s original music frames a refreshing contemporary treatment of Beethoven’s HYMN TO JOY. You are the source of our song! Instrumentation: 2 Flutes/Piccolo, Oboe, 2 Clarinets, Bassoon, 2 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 2 Trombones, Bass Trombone/Tuba, Master Rhythm (Piano, Bass, Drums, Guitar), Percussion, Timpani, Harp, Violins I & II, Viola, Cello, and Bass.

SKU: TM.06943SC

Chorus in English (no piano reduction); Vocal Score in French/English; Score in German/English. Narrator in score and vocal score only. Clothbound score. Overture, No. 1 Scherzo, No. 2 Melodram, Elfenmarsch (A March of Fairies), No. 3 Lied mit Chor (Song with Chorus), No. 4 Melodram, No. 5 Intermezzo, No. 6 Melodram, No. 7 Notturno, No. 8 Melodram, No. 9 Hochzeitmarsch (Wedding March), No. 10 Melodram, No. 11 Ein Tanz Von Ruplein (Dance of Clowns), No. 12 Melodram, No. 13 Finale.

SKU: HL.288106

Symphony No. 8 for Orchestra (2011) by Per Norgard. Premiered on September 19, 2013 by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and John Storgards. Programme note: The first movement opens with sculptural rising and falling scales. Visually the sound may call to mind, say, spirals or ziggurats (temple towers). Brisk music leads to the climax of the movement.The second movement is slow and sensually melodious and has three interludes of greater timbral melodic action. The third movement begins very restlessly but towards the climax the tempo gradually begins to accelerate. An oscillating pianissimomurmur ends the movement - and the symphony. Symphony no. 8 is commissioned by Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and is besides the Orchestra dedicated to the conductor John Storgards. Per Norgard (2012).

SKU: AP.45878S

UPC: 038081529622. English.

Imagine the sounds of the Arctic with this lively minor melody that evokes images of an exciting expedition through cold winds and rough ice. Each section plays the melody, evoking images of a trek through the white tundra. A beautiful lyrical section will help your young orchestra create beautiful phrasing and perform with a mature string sound! Arctic Crossing by Becky Phillips Bush is a grade 1.5 string orchestra selection that is a perfect concert opener or contest piece. (2:25).

SKU: AP.49897S

ISBN 9781470657307. UPC: 038081575452. English.

A Utopian Fantasia, by Anthony Granata, depicts a beautifully majestic and serene landscape shrouded in mystery and wonder. Set in the key of E minor, the opening features a rich legato ballad with an eerily somber melody passing through each section of the orchestra. The mood abruptly shifts to a jarring and heavily accented six-note motif. Reminiscent of Classical literature, a small contrapuntal passage develops this motif, interspersed with the original opening melody. Inversions of the theme finally give way to a call-and-response dialogue within the different sections of the orchestra before finally ending quietly and slowly with a subtle hint to the opening. (3:00).

SKU: AP.49902S

ISBN 9781470657406. UPC: 038081575551. English.

Volcano by Michael Hopkins is a fast and rhythmically energetic original concert work in E minor. Written for intermediate orchestra, this piece features all orchestra sections on melodic material. This is an excellent piece for helping students learn about bow speed, articulation, string crossings, syncopated rhythms, phrasing, and dynamic contrasts. Violin, viola, and cello parts are playable in first position. Double basses have a few shifts to 2nd and 3rd position. (3:50).

SKU: TM.00031SET

Transposed: clarinets, horns, trumpets, trombones. Sol/pf with pull-out solo.

SKU: TM.00088SET

Key of d. solo/pf; Transposed: hn 3+4, Tpt 1+2. Original keys: Hn 1+2 orig. in F, Cl orig in Bb.