SKU: ST.Y274

ISBN 9790220223358.

1st perf: Keisuke Okazaki, Tokyo Opera City Recital Hall, Tokyo, Japan, 22 April 2008
1st UK perf: Darragh Morgan, Schott Recital Room, Bauer & Hieber, London, 5 February 2009

Though the jagged figures and phrases of Lucky's Dream by Morgan Hayes are unmistakably those of a contemporary musical expressionist, the shadow of Bach also falls on this work, inspired by the virtuosity of the young Japanese soloist Keisuke Okazaki and his playing of the E major Partita.

In fact, though 'standard' contemporary techniques are widely used in the piece - left-hand pizzicato, harmonics and microtones, all deployed in edgy, unpredictable rhythms - there is also a classical shape to the structure. In this two-part form, lasting around four minutes, the first section is reflective, dwelling on single notes, phantoms as it were of pitches that are subtly deflected through slow glissandi. Then a spectral dance ensues, delivered largely on plucked strings, ethereal, disembodied, strange.

The 'Lucky' in question is a character from Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot, and Lucky's Dream is a complementary work to the earlier, impassioned Lucky's Speech (2006). The two items can stand alone or may be performed consecutively. Both are to be found on the recent all-Hayes CD released on the NMC label (NMC D163), which also features the composer's 17-minute Violin Concerto as further evidence for his original approach to writing for the instrument.

SKU: ST.Y237

ISBN 9790220221835.

1st perf: Darragh Morgan, The Picture Gallery, Royal Holloway College, University of London, 15 November 2006

Programme Note
Lucky's Speech was composed at the request of the violinist Darragh Morgan, for the launch of his recital CD Opera on the NMC label in June 2006. The title refers to a pivotal moment in Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot, when the hitherto silent character Lucky suddenly pours forth a torrential stream of gibberish.

This idea also suggested the cadenza of my Violin Concerto, composed in the same year, and it is reflected in both cases by an almost breathless musical activity punctuated by pizzicato commentaries. I should like to thank Darragh Morgan for his invaluable advice in the preparation of the score.

(c) Copyright Morgan Hayes

SKU: HL.138238

ISBN 9781495002427. UPC: 888680030797. 9.0x12.0x0.344 inches.

The perfect uke songbook for that next coffeehouse gig! This songbook includes lyrics, chord symbols and chord diagrams for 44 hit songs, including: Black Horse and the Cherry Tree * Constant Craving * Don't Know Why * Hallelujah * If It Makes You Happy * Lucky * Meet Virginia * One of Us * Put Your Records On * Save Tonight * Skinny Love * Tom's Diner * What I Am * Wonderwall * and more. Listen to a Spotify playlist of all the songs featured in this book!

About Strum & Sing

The Strum & Sing series provides an unplugged and pared-down approach to your favorite songs- just the chords and the lyrics, with nothing fancy. These easy-to-play arrangements are designed for both aspiring and professional musicians.

SKU: GI.WRG1031

UPC: 785147003366. English. Text by Morten Vinther.

Lucky Luke is a beautiful ballad by Real Group baritone Morten Vinther. Gentle and poignant, the song talks of the advice an adult might give a child: Always trust your heart, because it wont lie to you, and you'll be able to see through black or white, wrong or right.

SKU: HL.153144

ISBN 9781941566497. UPC: 888680095291. 9.0x12.0x0.126 inches.

Nine popular songs for men from hit Broadway shows are featured in this book with CD that includes two tracks for each song - one demo track and one backing track so you can sing along. Includes: Put on a Happy Face (from Bye Bye Birdie) * Try to Remember (from Fantasticks) * I Believe in You (from How to Succeed in Business) * Lucky to Be Me (from Mack and Mabel) * The Yankee Doodle Boy (from George M. Cohan) * Stranger in Paradise (from Kismet) * And This Is My Beloved (from Kismet) * Ordinary People (from Kwamina).