SKU: PR.11540239L

UPC: 680160680221.

The Sirens were sea nymphs, usually pictured as part woman and part bird, who lived on a secluded island surrounded by rocks. Their enchanting song was irresistible to passing sailors, who were lured to their deaths as their ships were destroyed upon the rocks. The Lovely Sirens presents three ideas: the Sirens' beautiful song, an unfortunate group of sailors whose course takes them near the island, and the disaster that befalls the sailors. The sailors' peril is represented by the Morse code S.O.S. signal (three dots, three dashes, and three dots--represented musically by short and long rhythms). The S.O.S. signal grows increasingly more insistent and distressed as it becomes obvious that the sailors, smitten with the voices of the Sirens, are headed for their demise.
The Sirens were sea nymphs, usually pictured as part woman and part bird, who lived on a secluded island surrounded by rocks. Their enchanting song was irresistible to passing sailors, who were lured to their deaths as their ships were destroyed upon the rocks. The Lovely Sirens presents three ideas: the Sirens’ beautiful song, an unfortunate group of sailors whose course takes them near the island, and the disaster that befalls the sailors. The sailors’ peril is represented by the Morse code S.O.S. signal (three dots, three dashes, and three dots—represented musically by short and long rhythms). The S.O.S. signal grows increasingly more insistent and distressed as it becomes obvious that the sailors, smitten with the voices of the Sirens, are headed for their demise.

SKU: CF.YPS212F

ISBN 9781491152997. UPC: 680160910496.

Taking its title from a poem about grief and loss by Chrissie Pinney, Live On honors the life of band director Linda Mann, to whom the piece is dedicated. The piece begins with a pensive intro before shifting to a whimsical theme that brings about happy thoughts of a life well-lived. After a return to the poignant opening material, the music surges to a triumphant conclusion based on an augmented version of the whimsical theme.
Live On was commissioned by Diplomat Middle School's staff, faculty and students, in Cape Coral, Florida, and is dedicated to the memory of their Director of Bands, Linda Mann. Director of Orchestras, Roland Forti, championed the commissioning of this piece to honor the life of Linda after her untimely passing in February of 2017. Linda Mann’s impact on the field of music education was profound and wide-reaching. She was a beloved member of the staff at Diplomat Middle School, as well as the music community of Cape Coral and the state of Florida. Linda was highly respected throughout the state, serving as recent past-president of the Florida Bandmasters Association.In discussing the type of piece the school wanted to honor Ms. Mann, they indicated the piece should “depict Linda’s personality: dynamic, sassy, yet thoughtful and almost mentor-like.” They wanted a piece that was upbeat, yet still had moments that were thoughtful, portraying the grief that the Diplomat Middle School community has suffered from the sudden loss of such a beloved teacher.After contemplating their thoughts, I did some research to find inspiration for the piece. This led me to poetry about grief and loss. In time, I stumbled upon a short, yet poignant poem that I felt perfectly depicted the sentiment that I wanted the piece to convey.  That poem is entitled Live On by Chrissie Pinney.Live OnNow as I live onWithout youI hope to keepThe pieces of youThat I loved so dearlyYour mannerismsAnd compassionate characterAnd smiles through struggleSo that youMay live on too -Chrissie PinneyI reached out to Ms. Pinney, and she graciously agreed to allow me to quote her powerful poem in these notes. She expressed that she was deeply touched that her work would inspire me to write a piece in honor of Linda Mann.The piece begins with a poignant, pensive opening section. The use of the musical interval of a tritone between the first two openly voiced chords are used to represent the sadness we all feel from this type of loss. When I sat in front of my piano and started to work on this piece, my hands seemed to naturally and immediately play these first two chords, which set the process in motion of composing the piece.After the somber opening, the piece shifts to a whimsical theme that I hope brings about happy thoughts of Linda and her personality. It was also my intent, however, to include some musical dissonance in the theme that still reflected the bittersweet loss at the same time. The piece develops into a secondary theme that is a quasi inversion of the main fast theme. This section is followed by a return of the opening material, with snippets of the fast theme intertwined, before the piece builds to a triumphant, augmented presentation of the main theme in a lush form to complete the work.It is my hope that in some small way, this piece will bring comfort to those affected by the loss of Linda Mann, and that the music will allow her memory to Live On.–Larry ClarkLakeland, FL 2017.

SKU: BT.DHP-1053750-010

English-German-French-Dutch.

This piece is dedicated to all the citizens who live, have lived, and will live in the US town of Algona, who commissioned the work to celebrate it’s 150th anniversary. With dark-tinted tones (low drums, heavy brass), this overture begins with a primitive sacred feel, it seems as if centuries-old Indian singing is heard once more. Gradually the sound becomes clearer and brighter as the same theme travels throughout the band in various guises and variants. Imposing tutti passages then give the band the chance to lavishly shine. This bright and catchy overture radiates spontaneous energy and as it features every section of the band all the players as well as the listenersare continually surprised and captivated.

Met donkere tonen begint deze ouverture sacraal en bezwerend: het lijkt of eeuwenoude indianengezangen weer tot klinken komen. Geleidelijk wordt het klankbeeld helderder: hetzelfde thema maakt in diverse varianten als het ware eenronde door het orkest. Met een paar imposante tuttipassages kan het orkest goed uitpakken. Nadien komt een energiek allegro met een krachtige thematiek naar voren, gevolgd door een lyrisch gegeven. Deze ingrediënten wisselen elkaaraf op weg naar een opwindende finale. Het klankidioom is zeer toegankelijk en alle geledingen van het orkest komen aan bod!

Anlässlich der 150-Jahrfeier der Stadt Algona im US-Staat Iowa komponiert, strahlt diese klare, eingängige Ouvertüre spontane Energie aus. Zwar beginnt das Werk sakral und flehend mit dunkel gefärbten Tönen, doch allmählich wird der Klang klarer und heller, während das Thema in verschiedenen Gewändern und Varianten durch das Blasorchester wandert. Dem folgenden energischen Allegro folgt ein lyrisches Thema, und beide Elemente verschmelzen schließlich in einem aufregenden Finale. Alle Register des Blasorchesters werden hier beleuchtet, sodass sowohl Spieler als auch Zuhörer fortwährend überrascht und bezaubert werden.

Algona Overture s’ouvre dans un univers sonore aux couleurs sombres. La musique revêt une dimension sacrée, un esprit de supplication. Un chant indien vieux de plusieurs siècles résonne comme un chant oublié. D’imposants passages tutti dévoilent les somptueuses facettes de l’Orchestre d’Harmonie. L’idiome sonore est simple et accessible. Algona Overture est une composition lumineuse et fascinante qui respire l’enthousiasme et la spontanéité. Dans la mesure où l’écriture orchestrale privilégie tous les pupitres, la musique réussit surprendre et captiver sans cesse le public et les interprètes.

Questo brano è dedicato a tutti i cittadini che vivono, che hanno vissuto, e che vivranno nella cittadina americana di Algona, che ha commissionato questo brano per festeggiare il suo 150. anniversario. Algona Overture inizia in un universo sonoro dai colori scuri. La musica rivela una dimensione sacra, uno spirito di supplica. Un canto indiano datato di alcuni secoli risuona come un canto dimenticato. Imponenti passaggi affidati al tutti svelano le sontuose sfacettature dell’orchestra di fiati. Algona Overture è una composizione coinvolgente che trasmette entusiasmo e spontaneit . In un brano dove la scrittura orchestrale privilegia tutte le sezioni dell’organico, la musicariesce a sorprendere e accattivarsi il pubblico e gli interpreti.

SKU: BT.DHP-1053750-040

English-German-French-Dutch.

This piece is dedicated to all the citizens who live, have lived, and will live in the US town of Algona, who commissioned the work to celebrate it’s 150th anniversary. With dark-tinted tones (low drums, heavy brass), this overture begins with a primitive sacred feel, it seems as if centuries-old Indian singing is heard once more. Gradually the sound becomes clearer and brighter as the same theme travels throughout the band in various guises and variants. Imposing tutti passages then give the band the chance to lavishly shine. This bright and catchy overture radiates spontaneous energy and as it features every section of the band all the players as well as the listenersare continually surprised and captivated.

Met donkere tonen begint deze ouverture sacraal en bezwerend: het lijkt of eeuwenoude indianengezangen weer tot klinken komen. Geleidelijk wordt het klankbeeld helderder: hetzelfde thema maakt in diverse varianten als het ware eenronde door het orkest. Met een paar imposante tuttipassages kan het orkest goed uitpakken. Nadien komt een energiek allegro met een krachtige thematiek naar voren, gevolgd door een lyrisch gegeven. Deze ingrediënten wisselen elkaaraf op weg naar een opwindende finale. Het klankidioom is zeer toegankelijk en alle geledingen van het orkest komen aan bod!

Anlässlich der 150-Jahrfeier der Stadt Algona im US-Staat Iowa komponiert, strahlt diese klare, eingängige Ouvertüre spontane Energie aus. Zwar beginnt das Werk sakral und flehend mit dunkel gefärbten Tönen, doch allmählich wird der Klang klarer und heller, während das Thema in verschiedenen Gewändern und Varianten durch das Blasorchester wandert. Dem folgenden energischen Allegro folgt ein lyrisches Thema, und beide Elemente verschmelzen schließlich in einem aufregenden Finale. Alle Register des Blasorchesters werden hier beleuchtet, sodass sowohl Spieler als auch Zuhörer fortwährend überrascht und bezaubert werden.

Algona Overture s’ouvre dans un univers sonore aux couleurs sombres. La musique revêt une dimension sacrée, un esprit de supplication. Un chant indien vieux de plusieurs siècles résonne comme un chant oublié. D’imposants passages tutti dévoilent les somptueuses facettes de l’Orchestre d’Harmonie. L’idiome sonore est simple et accessible. Algona Overture est une composition lumineuse et fascinante qui respire l’enthousiasme et la spontanéité. Dans la mesure où l’écriture orchestrale privilégie tous les pupitres, la musique réussit surprendre et captiver sans cesse le public et les interprètes.

Questo brano è dedicato a tutti i cittadini che vivono, che hanno vissuto, e che vivranno nella cittadina americana di Algona, che ha commissionato questo brano per festeggiare il suo 150. anniversario. Algona Overture inizia in un universo sonoro dai colori scuri. La musica rivela una dimensione sacra, uno spirito di supplica. Un canto indiano datato di alcuni secoli risuona come un canto dimenticato. Imponenti passaggi affidati al tutti svelano le sontuose sfacettature dell’orchestra di fiati. Algona Overture è una composizione coinvolgente che trasmette entusiasmo e spontaneit . In un brano dove la scrittura orchestrale privilegia tutte le sezioni dell’organico, la musicariesce a sorprendere e accattivarsi il pubblico e gli interpreti.