Choral SSA choir, piano

SKU: CF.CM9773

Composed by Brady Weldon. Duration 2 minutes, 49 seconds. Carl Fischer Music #CM9773. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.CM9773).

ISBN 9781491164440. UPC: 680160923342. Key: C# minor. English. Christina Rossetti.

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,                                                       Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;                                                               Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,                                                             In the bleak midwinter, long ago.What can I give Him, poor as I am?                                                                                        If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;                                                                         If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;                                                                        Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.The text from this beloved poem of Christina Rossetti (1830–1894) was originally published in an 1872 issue of Scribner’s Monthly, under the title A Christmas Carol. In the first of its five stanzas, the speaker describes in great detail a bitingly cold winter scene, void of both warmth and light. By the final stanza, the speaker's thoughts turn inward, asking what gift they may offer the infant Jesus, meek though they believe themselves to be.The poem was later set by English composer Gustav Holst (1874–1934) as a contribution to the English Hymnal in 1906 and remains the most popular setting today.London-born Rossetti came to be regarded not only as one of the greatest female poets of her time, but as an outspoken advocate on several societal issues, including slavery and cruelty towards animals.In this setting, word painting is of the utmost importance. Careful attention to word stress throughout the course of the piece will make the performance all the more captivating. Descriptive lines such as “frosty wind made moan” should be conveyed with swelling crescendos, like frigid gusts of frozen air.While this piece features an original tune, the beloved Holst melody is also featured briefly, beginning in m. 28. Take care to bring this out.There are plenty of other allusions to wintry scenes scattered throughout the choral parts as well as the accompaniment. I encourage you to put your sleuthing “hats” on and find them all. It will make the learning experience much more memorable and fun.

Orchestra piano(solo), 2(piccolo), 2(English horn), 2(contrabassoon), timpani, percussion, piano, strings (Pf(solo)aEUR2(picc).2(Ca).2.2(Cbsn)aEUR4.2.2.1aEURTimpaEURPercaEURPfaEURStr)

SKU: PE.EP68582

Harmonices Mundi. Composed by Robert Livingston Aldridge. Piano/Keyboard. Edition Peters. Living Composer. Score and Part(s). 100 pages. Edition Peters #98-EP68582. Published by Edition Peters (PE.EP68582).

ISBN 9790300759791. 297 x 420mm inches.

This composition was commissioned anonymously and by the Brevard Music Center in honor of Evan Armstrong North (1982-2011)

"The task of writing a piece of music for someone who has left the world all too soon is not an easy one. Does one write celebratory music, in honor of his well-lived life? Or does one musically depict the loss of such a beloved young man? I tried to do something of both. The first movement begins with the musical depiction of the loss, a descending scale of despair. As it is a concerto, much of the piece is a dialogue between the soloist and the orchestra. For the most part, the piano is the voice of love and hope while the orchestra is the voice of despair and loss. How does one move forward to live after such a loss? What ensues in the process of the first movement represents a gradual triumph over despair." - Robert Livingston Aldridge

Clarinet & orchestra

SKU: HH.HH452-SSC

Composed by Stephen Pratt. Clarinet & Orchestra. Study score. Edition HH Music Publishers #HH452-SSC. Published by Edition HH Music Publishers (HH.HH452-SSC).

ISBN 9790708146599.

Three Imaginary Folksongs was requested by the Concerts Society of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral for their concert season celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Cathedral. The composer was asked specifically for a work which would highlight the much-admired talents of the principal clarinet, Jacqueline Thomas. The title is unambiguous. Taking three different approaches, each of which has a modal starting point, the three ‘folksongs’ from imaginary places, were developed in styles which reflect the work of earlier folksong-inspired composers. The first performance took place at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral at a concert that not only celebrated the Cathedral’s 50th birthday, but also Stephen’s 70th.