SKU: BO.B.3292
English comments: This is the definitive version of Biogenesis, a piece that Cervello had written in 1976, together with his friend Jorge Wagensberg, and which was awarded the First Prize at the Spanish Ministry for Education and Science's Permanent Composition and Musical Research Competition. The new version was made at 1984-85 Lux et umbra is written for a string group consisting of four first and four second violins, three violas, three cellos and a double bass. The conceptual battle between darkness and light is represented by the instability between the notes B and C, and by the compartmentation of the group of fifteen strings into divisi that provide an independent arrangement for each instrument, thus bestowing great substance upon the texture of the music. A cello cadence emerges from a slow and straightforward beginning. A process of contrasts then begins, culminating in a molto vivace passage of a scherzando nature, which alludes to the Baroque concerti grossi. The music once again plays with chiaroscuro until reaching its climax, from which point the conclusion slowly begins, establishing itself in the high register until fading away. The work was first performed at Barcelona's Palau de la Musica by the English Chamber Orchestra, directed by Enrique Garcia Asensio, in 1987. That same year, in the newspaper El Pais, the observations of the composer and critic Francesc Taverna-Bech paid tribute to the work's intelligence as regards the use of and search for instrumental resources (in this case, string instruments, about which Cervello knows a great deal), the skill involved in endowing the lyrical line with tension, and a singular touch that confers formal essence upon the musical discourse. In La Vanguardia, Jordi Llovet wrote that this is a work in which, as is the case with most of Cervello's compositions, the listener finds something covertly religious, a mysterious secret, a transcendence linked to the origins of communication requiring more than a single being, which provides excitement. In 1990, when the Orquesta de Granada (Orchestra of Granada) performed the work at Barcelona's Grec festival, the critic Cesar Calmell opined, in the same newspaper, that inch by inch, surely and imperturbably, Cervello built up a perfect world that reflects the image of the craftsman who, so astonished at the delights of his trade, is unable to do anything but turn the very backdrop of tragedy into something pleasant. Lux et umbra was recorded by the Orchestra Estatal of the Hermitage, conducted by Alexis Soriano (CD SA01210 Fundacion Autor). --Xavier Casanoves Danes Music criticComentarios del Espanol:Se trata de la version definitiva de Biogenesis, obra que habia escrito en 1976 en colaboracion con su amigo Jorge Wagensberg y que obtuvo el Primer Premio, en el ano de su creacion, en el Concurso Permanente de Composicion e Investigacion Musical del Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia. La nueva version fue realizada en 1984-85. Lux et umbra esta escrita para un grupo de cuerda integrado por cuatro primeros violines, cuatro segundos, tres violas, tres violoncelos y un contrabajo. El combate filosofico entre la oscuridad y la luz lo lleva a cabo la inestabilidad entre las notas si y do y la compartimentacion del grupo de quince cuerdas en unos divisi que llegan a una escritura independiente para cada instrumento, otorgando una gran importancia a la textura sonora. De un principio lento y descarnado emerge una cadencia del violonchelo. A continuacion da comienzo un proceso de contrastes que culmina en un pasaje molto vivace de caracter scherzando que alude a los concerti grossi del barroco. La musica juega de nuevo con el claroscuro hasta llegar a la cumbre sonora iniciando el final lentamente que se instala en el registro agudo hasta desvanecerse. La estreno en el Palau de la Musica de Barcelona la English Chamber Orchestra en el ano 1987 bajo la direccion de Enrique Garcia Asensio. Ese mismo ano, en el periodico El Pais, el compositor y critico Francesc Taverna-Bech reconocia en sus comentarios la inteligencia en el uso y la busqueda de los recursos instrumentales -en este caso la cuerda, de la que Cervello es profundo conocedor-, la destreza para revestir de tension la linea lirica y un tacto particular para conferir entidad formal al discurso sonoro. Jordi Llovet, en La Vanguardia, escribia que en esta obra, se encuentra, como en la mayor parte de la produccion de Cervello, algo secretamente religioso, un arcano misterioso, una trascendencia vinculada a los origenes de la comunicacion impracticable con el ser unico que resulta apasionante. En el ano 1990, cuando la Orquesta de Granada la toco en el Grec de Barcelona, era el critico Cesar Calmell quien, en el mismo periodico consideraba que Cervello construyo palmo a palmo, segura e imperturbablemente, un mundo perfecto que refleja la imagen del artesano que, de tan admirado con las delicias de su oficio, no puede hacer otra cosa que convertir en agradable el fondo mismo de la tragedia. Lux et umbra esta grabada por la Orquesta Estatal del Hermitage, dirigida por Alexis Soriano (CD SA01210 Fundacion Autor). --Xavier Casanoves Danes Critico musical.
SKU: CF.YAS1
ISBN 9780825840630. UPC: 798408040635. 8.5 X 11 inches. Key: G major.
Moonlight Shadows is a passionate and colorful piece for strings that explores the expressive power of the string orchestra. Sean O'Loughlin uses a lush harmonic palette and variety of texture (including a short pizzicato section), to create an important and soulful addition to the repertoire for younger string ensembles. Duration: 2'30.Moonlight Shadows is a work for string orchestra that reflects my great love for the music of Samuel Barber. His compositions from the 1930s and 1940s were characterized by plush harmonies, flowing melodies and engaging suspensions. These elements are what I focused on in the composition of Moonlight Shadows.The material represents my mood and feelings when I look at a big, bright moon. The shadows it casts create an eerie feeling, while at the same time providing a deep, rich tapestry for the earth at night.The harmony features many major seventh-chords with half-step suspensions. These suspensions function as common tones to the next chord and create the tension of the piece. They also move, in order to provide resolution to the piece which allows the listener to rest. With this in mind, these suspensions should be brought out during performance.Moonlight Shadows is an emotional piece that allows the young musician the opportunity to play with much expression.
About Carl Fischer Young String Orchestra Series
This series of Grade 2/Grade 2.5 pieces is designed for second and third year ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:--Occasionally extending to third position--Keys carefully considered for appropriate difficulty--Addition of separate 2nd violin and viola parts--Viola T.C. part included--Increase in independence of parts over beginning levels
SKU: FJ.ST6396S
English.
The bittersweet longing for a love across cultural boundaries begins this visit to Ireland with The Flower of Magherally and solo opportunities for your principal violist. A boisterous slip jig in 9/8 meter gives all students a workout with a variety of bowings and styles both on and off the string.
About FJH String Orchestra
More emphasis on bow technique and independence of lines. For the accomplished middle, high school, college, or professional group. Grade 3 and up
SKU: CF.CAS44
ISBN 9780825867118. UPC: 798408067113. 8.5 X 11 inches. Key: G minor.
This is a tour-de-force for the advancing string orchestra. Beautiful, dramatic, and flowing, Waterloo Station is very fresh and contemporary. Students will love it for the lush harmonic textures and rhythmic drive that this composer is so noted for.Composed as a characterization of the fast-paced atmosphere of London’s Waterloo Train Station, this fast-slow-fast piece combines technical excitement with heartfelt simplicity.The fast section in G minor consists of two main parts: the intense, emotional A section at m. 21 and the legato, sweeping B section at m. 59. The syncopated tutti figures in the high strings coupled with the fiery cello and bass lines propel the fast sections. The phrase in mm. 1–8 recurs throughout. Making four- to eight-measure exercises of this section below tempo in the violins and viola, focusing on rhythmic clarity, will help to lock in the syncopation. Similarly, the cello and bass should rehearse this slowly as well as mm. 9–16 to gain fluidity and insure a solid foundation.The cellos carry the tune at m. 71, and the ensemble builds from mm. 79–86 to the transition at m. 87. An abrupt change to half tempo here slows the momentum and transitions to a quiet, melancholy tone in m. 91. The middle section (ABA) begins in G minor with a somber quality, highlighted by the Violin I solo. It gradually builds to a beautiful, uplifting setting as it moves to G major in m. 100. Returning back to the hushed G minor tonality, it then speeds up again and transitions back to Tempo I for a brief recapitulation of the fast section. Measure 117 marks the return to vigorous playing, beginning softly and building to a thrilling ride to the end.
About Carl Fischer Concert String Orchestra Series
This series of pieces (Grade 3 and higher) is designed for advancing ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:
SKU: FJ.ST6447
UPC: 241444385814. English.
Generate the hustle and bustle of New York City with this exciting new piece that includes a section for improvisation and an optional drum set part. Grand Central is a groovy, energetic work that your students will love. Guide notes are included for students who want to experiment with improvisation, and the piece is guaranteed to get your audience on their feet!
SKU: FJ.ST6447S
SKU: CF.YAS33
ISBN 9780825858468. UPC: 798408058463. 8.5 X 11 inches. Key: G major.
A walk through the park or a morning stroll through the forest is what this piece best calls to mind. With its pastoral setting and lush melodies, Velvet Morning will truly showcase your group's mastery of legato playing.Velvet Morning is a warm and colorful work for string orchestra. Please play con sordino if available. The music is a reflection of my love for the orchestral music of Barber, Ravel, Debussy and Satie. It should have the same sense of passion and intensity that those masters employ in their music.The opening tempo is marked rubato, and should speed up then slow down based on the phrases. The main melody appears at m. 11 in the first violins and should have a flowing quality. The harmony does utilize some slight dissonances from time to time which should be emphasized. The violas and cellos take over the melody at m.19 with a counter line in the violins. The melody returns to the violin at m. 27 with a pianistic cello line punctuated by pizzicato in the bass. Some transitional material follows that builds up to a full presentation at m. 47. Let the ensemble open up here with an intense, full sound. This winds down to a return of the introduction at m. 60. The ending should be tender and deliberate all the way to the last plush chord.
SKU: CF.YAS33F
ISBN 9780825858475. UPC: 798408058470. 8.5 X 11 inches. Key: G major.
