SKU: BA.BA11043

ISBN 9790006543229. 33.5 x 25.5 cm inches.

Manfred Trojahn on the origin and title of his impressive virtuoso solo work:
Admittedly I do not know if he had seagulls, but since Mendelssohn was born in Hamburg, he will not have gone through life without at least the impression of the cry of seagulls. Nor do I know if seagulls played any part in his life in Rome. I myself was astonished when, one or two years ago in the Villa Massimo, I was, not exactly annoyed but disturbed by the strong rhythmical cry of seagulls. I was just about to write a bassoon solo when the seagulls started.
Then the idea came to me that precisely this sequence of notes could serve as the basis of the work. And the sequence for the bassoon solo is, in turn, the basis of the piece for violoncello - this is how titles are born... Of course the violoncello meanders with virtuosic ease from the seagull motif to the 'elf-like' skittering brought to music by Mendelssohn and used time and again in his compositions, finally becoming a cabaletta. Now, cabalettas are not very representative of Mendelssohn, but as I was composing I definitely wanted to put a cabaletta in this passage.
I am sure Mendelssohn and I will easily agree on this, especially since later justice is done to him in the rapid passages and, of course in the tonal cadenza at the very end, which is more indicative of his time than of mine ... isn't it?

UPC: 000308117639.

With a blending of new melodies and familiar Christmas carols, this work recalls the dark days of anguish for ancient Israel, only to give way to the dawning of a new day of light and love when Christ was born. Through the scripturally based narration and music, singers and listeners are once again invited to the humble birthplace of the Savior. Conceived as a Christmas worship experience, this collaborative work is created by two seasoned veterans of church choral literature: Lloyd Larson and Douglas E. Wagner. The eight choral settings will be quickly mastered by choirs large or small during the busy Advent/Christmas season, and each selection may be utilized individually during the Advent season. The cantata will work successfully accompanied by piano alone or by utilizing the inspired orchestrations of Brant Adams (with live instruments or the fully orchestrated accompaniment CD). The optional inclusion of congregation on familiar carols makes this a truly participatory experience.