SKU: CF.CPS225F

ISBN 9781491153192. UPC: 680160910694.

Tartan Tapestries is an original piece that sets out to emulate Scottish folk music. Composer Larry Clark has created a concert overture in triple meter to capture the essence of music from Scotland. After a lilting first section,  lush and beautiful moments weave a tapestry of sounds with the lyrical, middle section of the piece. There is an optional part for bagpipes, and an optional ending should you chose to use this instrument as part of the piece. Alert your contest music committee about this strong new piece for advancing groups.
Tartan Tapestries was commissioned by Friends of the Arts for the Saint Andrew's School Band in Boca Raton, Florida. The band program at Saint Andrew’s School is under the direction of Andrea Wolgin. The premiere took place on November 29, 2017.When I was asked by their conductor Ms. Wolgin to write a piece for the Saint Andrew’s School, I asked her what kind of involvement she wanted the students to have in the process. We discussed several options for having the students involved in the process of creating with the type of piece they wanted.  We set up a “Skype” meeting with members of the band to discuss the piece. During this discussion, the consensus of the students was that they wanted a piece depicting the Scottish influence to the school. They also wanted a piece that would challenge all sections of the band and to include bagpipes if possible. I asked that the students be involved in helping to name the piece once it was completed, for which they agreed and were very helpful. Armed with this information, I set out to compose a piece for them, and Tartan Tapestries is the result.The piece begins with a fanfare gesture based upon rhythms and harmonies that appear throughout the piece. I chose the lilting triple feel to the piece, to bring about the Scottish flavor. I wanted the fanfare to be bardic sounding, to depict the strength of the Scottish people and for the piece to have a dynamic opening. The fanfare contains material that alludes to the main theme and with a bit of dissonance and tension that is resolved in the main body of the piece.The main theme is a lilting original melody, but one that I hope with have the essence of Scottish folk songs. The main idea is followed by a more modal and dark sounding secondary theme, first stated in the horns. This material is later used in the development section of the piece. The main theme returns several times, with different and varied orchestrations and harmonic treatments. This is followed by a short transition leading to the more lyrical and slower second section of the piece. A transparent presentation of the lyrical theme, which is based on aspects of the main theme, is presented first by a solo flute. This section is a nod to famous composer Malcom Arnold’s wonderful works for orchestra in its style and orchestration. After a transition or bridge section with a solo euphonium, the piece builds to a dramatic climax of the lyrical theme by the full band. This subsides to a return of the solo flute to end this second section of the piece, followed by a transition back the main theme.The solo bagpipes play a central role in the return of the main theme and take center stage after being heard in the distance earlier in the work. The piece brings back a shortened version of the darker secondary theme, followed by a hint of the fanfare material that builds to one last statement of the main theme by the full band, before leading to a dramatic coda to complete the work.It has been my pleasure to have been given the opportunity to compose this piece for the Saint Andrew’s School Band! I thank Andrea Wolgin for making it happen, and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed bringing the piece to life.–Larry ClarkLakeland, Florida 2017.

SKU: CF.YPS208F

ISBN 9781491152966. UPC: 680160910465.

A stunning and heart-wrenching composition based on the Jewish folk son Shlof, Mayn Kind. You can hear the emotional content pour out of this piece written in memory of an outstanding orchestra director. The piece beginnings with original material to set the tone, followed by a clarinet solo on the song. It then develops through a variety of different harmonic presentation before building to a nice key change and climatic moment. The piece ends as it began, but with a more hopeful tone. An amazing piece.
Sleep, My Child was commissioned by the Madison Middle School Band and Orchestra in Tampa, Florida, and is dedicated to the memory of their Director of Orchestras Kevin Frye. Director of Bands Chris Shultz championed the commissioning of this piece to honor Kevin after he passed away in December 2016. Mr. Frye was a beloved member of the staff at Madison Middle as well as the music community of Tampa and the state of Florida. I was a personal friend of Kevin’s. We were in several musical groups together when we were young that were formative to both of our musical careers. I also guest conducted his Madison Middle School Orchestra several times over the past four years. His musicianship, teaching skills and love for his students were exemplary.When taking on the challenge of writing a piece to honor Kevin’s legacy, Mr. Shultz and I decided to try and include several important aspects of Kevin’s life into the piece. Kevin was proudly Jewish, a fantastic trumpet player and loved Jazz. With that in mind, and after a lot of research, a Jewish folk song Shlof, Mayn Kind was selected as the basis for the piece, not to be religious, but to honor his faith and heritage. Plus it is a beautiful song, and I felt the title reflected the sentiment I was looking to express, which is of someone taking rest after a long battle with illness. Thus, a lullaby seemed appropriate.I also wanted to incorporate Jazz into the piece, but in a concert setting, so you will hear as the piece develops, the harmonies of the folk song expand into ones found more commonly in Jazz compositions. Not in a far out way, but in a subtle way to again honor this part of his life. For example the climactic moment of the piece at the fermata in m. 57 is a Dbmaj9#11 chord. It appropriately give the piece the angst that I was looking for at this moment in the piece, while honoring the importance of Jazz in Kevin’s musical life.The piece was also conceived to include both the Madison band and orchestra in the performance at the premiere. I wanted the pieces to work separately by the band and separately by the orchestra, but I also wanted them to be able to play the piece together to honor Kevin.The piece begins with original material designed to set the mood of the piece with a tempo/style marking of pensive, but also as material that I used as connective musical tissue between statements of the folk song.  After this introduction, the folk song is presented by a solo violin (or clarinet) with orchestral accompaniment in a simple straight forward presentation of the song. This is followed by a woodwind section statement of the folk song accompanied by muted trumpets. During this presentation the harmony starts to expand with more color notes in the chords. The low brass are added half way through this statement to add depth and lushness.The introductory material returns, but with some angry hits in the lower voices. This leads to a full ensemble state of new material that is used to transition to the climax of the piece, and to build tension. After the build, the piece modulates to a shortened statement of the folk song with more advanced harmonies and an active counter line in the violas, horns, saxes and first clarinets to further build the tension.  This tension is released at the fermata in m. 57, as mentioned above. After a thoughtful pause, the piece concludes with a completion of the folk song again with a solo violin (or clarinet) followed by a return of the introductory material to tie the piece together. The piece ends hopeful, with a solo trumpet (Kevin’s instrument) that is dissonant at first, but then resolves as if to say - everything will be OK! It has been my distinct honor to have been asked to write this piece in Kevin’s memory! I hope that in some small way the piece helps to bring comfort to his family, students, colleagues and to all those that knew him!–Larry ClarkLakeland, FL  2017.

SKU: PR.46500013L

UPC: 680160600151. 11 x 14 inches.

I n 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clarks Corps of Discovery to find a water route to the Pacific and explore the uncharted West. He believed woolly mammoths, erupting volcanoes, and mountains of pure salt awaited them. What they found was no less mind-boggling: some 300 species unknown to science, nearly 50 Indian tribes, and the Rockies. I have been a student of the Lewis and Clark expedition, which Thomas Jefferson called the Voyage of Discovery, for as long as I can remember. This astonishing journey, lasting more than two-and-a-half years, began and ended in St. Louis, Missouri and took the travelers up more than a few rivers in their quest to find the Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean. In an age without speedy communication, this was akin to space travel out of radio range in our own time: no one knew if, indeed, the party had even survived the voyage for more than a year. Most of them were soldiers. A few were French-Canadian voyageurs hired trappers and explorers, who were fluent in French (spoken extensively in the region, due to earlier explorers from France) and in some of the Indian languages they might encounter. One of the voyageurs, a man named Pierre Cruzatte, also happened to be a better-than-average fiddle player. In many respects, the travelers were completely on their own for supplies and survival, yet, incredibly, only one of them died during the voyage. Jefferson had outfitted them with food, weapons, medicine, and clothing and along with other trinkets, a box of 200 jaw harps to be used in trading with the Indians. Their trip was long, perilous to the point of near catastrophe, and arduous. The dream of a Northwest Passage proved ephemeral, but the northwestern quarter of the continent had finally been explored, mapped, and described to an anxious world. When the party returned to St. Louis in 1806, and with the Louisiana Purchase now part of the United States, they were greeted as national heroes. I have written a sizeable number of works for wind ensemble that draw their inspiration from the monumental spaces found in the American West. Four of them (Arches, The Yellowstone Fires, Glacier, and Zion) take their names, and in large part their being, from actual national parks in Utah, Wyoming, and Montana. But Upriver, although it found its voice (and its finale) in the magnificent Columbia Gorge in Oregon, is about a much larger region. This piece, like its brother works about the national parks, doesnt try to tell a story. Instead, it captures the flavor of a certain time, and of a grand adventure. Cast in one continuous movement and lasting close to fourteen minutes, the piece falls into several subsections, each with its own heading: The Dream (in which Jeffersons vision of a vast expanse of western land is opened); The Promise, a chorale that re-appears several times in the course of the piece and represents the seriousness of the presidential mission; The River; The Voyageurs; The River II ; Death and Disappointment; Return to the Voyage; and The River III . The music includes several quoted melodies, one of which is familiar to everyone as the ultimate river song, and which becomes the through-stream of the work. All of the quoted tunes were either sung by the men on the voyage, or played by Cruzattes fiddle. From various journals and diaries, we know the men found enjoyment and solace in music, and almost every night encampment had at least a bit of music in it. In addition to Cruzatte, there were two other members of the party who played the fiddle, and others made do with singing, or playing upon sticks, bones, the ever-present jaw harps, and boat horns. From Lewis journals, I found all the tunes used in Upriver: Shenandoah (still popular after more than 200 years), Vla bon vent, Soldiers Joy, Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier, Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy (a hymn sung to the tune Beech Spring) and Fishers Hornpipe. The work follows an emotional journey: not necessarily step-by-step with the Voyage of Discovery heroes, but a kind of grand arch. Beginning in the mists of history and myth, traversing peaks and valleys both real and emotional (and a solemn funeral scene), finding help from native people, and recalling their zeal upon finding the one great river that will, in fact, take them to the Pacific. When the men finally roar through the Columbia Gorge in their boats (a feat that even the Indians had not attempted), the magnificent river combines its theme with the chorale of Jeffersons Promise. The Dream is fulfilled: not quite the one Jefferson had imagined (there is no navigable water passage from the Missouri to the Pacific), but the dream of a continental destiny.

SKU: CF.YPS212

ISBN 9781491152317. UPC: 680160909810. Key: C minor.

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.AMP-028-140

English-German-French-Dutch.

The piece reflects the composer's fascination with the origins of the universe and deep space in general. The title comes from a theory, formulated by Pythagoras, that the cosmos was ruled by the same laws he had discovered that govern the ratios of note frequencies of the musical scale. (‘Harmonia’ in Ancient Greek, which means scale or tuning rather than harmony - Greek music was monophonic). He also believed that these ratios corresponded to the distances of the six known planets from the sun and that the planets each produced a musical note which combined to weave a continuous heavenly melody (which, unfortunately, we humans cannot hear). In this work, these six notesform the basis of the sections MUSIC OF THE SPHERES and HARMONIA. The pieces opens with a horn solo called t = 0, a name given by some scientists to the moment of the Big Bang when time and space were created, and this is followed by a depiction of the BIG BANG itself, as the entire universe bursts out from a single point. A slower section follows called THE LONELY PLANET which is a meditation on the incredible and unlikely set of circumstances which led to the creation of the Earth as a planet that can support life, and the constant search for other civilisations elsewhere in the universe. ASTEROIDS AND SHOOTING STARS depicts both the benign and dangerous objects that are flying through space and which constantly threaten our planet, and the piece ends with THE UNKNOWN, leaving in question whether our continually expanding exploration of the universe will eventually lead to enlightenment or destruction.

Dit werk weerspiegelt de fascinatie van de componist voor het heelal. Het begint met een hoornsolo met de naam t = 0, waarmee sommige wetenschappers de oerknal aanduiden. Dan volgt een weergave van de oerknal zelf. Het volgendegedeelte, The Lonely Planet, is een meditatie over het ongelooflijke samenspel van omstandigheden dat leidde tot het ontstaan van de Aarde. Asteroids and Shooting Stars beschrijft objecten in de ruimte. Het werkeindigt met The Unknown, waarmee we in het ongewisse blijven over de gevolgen van onze verdere verkenning van het universum. In 2005 won Philip Sparke met Music of the Spheres de National Band Association/William D.Revelli Memorial Band Composition Contest.

Dieses Werk handelt vom Weltall und unserem Platz im Universum, auf dem Weltbild von Pythagoras basierend. Am einfachsten lässt sich diese außergewöhnliche Komposition wohl als Filmmusik ähnliches Stück beschreiben ? Musik zu einem Science-Fiction-Film eines Ripley Scott oder Steven Spielberg oder auch Musik, wie sie ein John Williams oder Danny Elfman schreiben würde: absolut stimmungsvoll, brillant instrumentiert mit Klangfarben, Strukturen, Effekten und Timbres, gemischt mit fließenden musikalischen Linien, die die Substanz des Themas auf den Punkt treffen. Dieses atemberaubende neue Stück hebt Ihr Blasorchester auf ein höheres Niveau, sowohl im technischen als auchmusikalischen Sinn.

La fresque Music of the Spheres (“La musique des sphères”) souligne la fascination qu’éprouve le compositeur pour les origines de l’univers. L’orchestration est proche de la musique de film. Le climat musical est ample, sonore et contrasté.

Music of the Spheres evidenza il fascino che le origini dell’universo esercitano su Philip Sparke. Il titolo proviene da una teoria del matematico greco Pitagora, secondo la quale il cosmo è retto dalle stesse leggi che governano i rapporti di frequenza tra le note della scala musicale. Questa composizione inizia con un assolo di corno chiamato t = 0, nozione che definisce il momento del big-bang. The Lonely Planet (Il pianeta solitario) è una meditazione sulle circostanze che hanno portato alla creazione della terra. Asteroids and Shooting Stars (Asteroidi e Stelle cadenti) descrive i molteplici oggetti che si muovono nello spazio e che rappresentano unrischio per il nostro pianeta. Le battute finali portano verso l’ignoto (The Unknown) sollevando una domanda la cui risposta resta in sospeso: la nostra continua avanzata nell’esplorazione dell’Universo porter un giorno alla scoperta o alla distruzione?

SKU: BT.DHP-1064018-013

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dutch.

This rhapsody reflects the four seasons combined with the natural scenery that characterises the city of Québec and its surrounding region. Autumn is depicted with hunting horns playing in the forest, followed by a pastoral melody, principally in the woodwinds. Winter in the mountains is poetic and romantic. Spring arrives with a frolicsome and playful theme mirroring the start of new life. Soon everything flowers lushly, and the music swells into the full sounding energy of summer, bringing the work to a brilliant and dynamic close. A great work for any time of year.

De titel verwijst naar de oudste (indianen) naam van de canadese stad Québec. in deze rapsodie worden de vier seizoenen verklankt, in combinatie met de natuur die Québec en de omgeving kenmerkt. In de herfst spelen jachthoorns inhet woud signalen, waarna zich een pastorale melodie ontwikkelt. Dan volgt een lyrisch deel: winter in de bergen. Terwijl het buiten vriest, is het warm en gezellig. Een dartel thema verklankt de lente. De energie die de lente heeftopgewekt, komt in de zomer tot wasdom: het orkest gaat voluit, zodat het werk stralend besluit.

Dieses Werk entstand im Auftrag des Harmonieorchesters von Charlesbourg (Kanada) und ist François Dorion gewidmet. Die Uraufführung fand am 11. Dezember 2005 in Charlesbourg unter der Leitung des Komponisten statt. Der Titel bezieht sich auf den ältesten (indianischen) Namen der kanadischen Stadt Québec.In dieser Rhapsodie werden die vier Jahreszeiten widergespiegelt, eingebettet in die charakteristische Natur, die Québec und die ganze Region prägt.Im Herbst (Autumn) sind typische Hornsignale im Wald zu hören, gefolgt von einer etwas pastoralen Melodie, speziell in den Holzbläsern.Der nächste Satz ist ausgesprochen lyrisch und romantisch; es herrscht Winter in denBergen. Während draußen die beißende Kälte regiert, ist es drinnen am Kamin warm und gemütlich: ein angenehmes Bild.Wie in jedem Jahr beginnt der Frühling zögerlich; so setzt der dritte Satz, Spring, vorsichtig ein. Ein fröhliches, verspieltes Thema reflektiert den Neubeginn allen Lebens: Frühling am St. Lawrence River. Bald blüht alles üppig und auch die Musik schwillt zu vollen Klängen an.Die Energie, die der Frühling freisetzte, kommt im Sommer (Summer) vollends zur Entfaltung; die Atmosphäre ist nun sehr dynamisch und das Blasorchester spielt mit voller Kraft, so dass das Werk brillant und dynamisch endet.

Kebek dépeint la richesse des paysages naturels de Québec et ses environs, au coeur du cycle annuel des saisons. L’Automne bucolique s’illumine aux couleurs d’une mélodie pastorale. L’Hiver montagnard est poétique et romantique. Le Printemps coule des jours heureux sur les rives du fleuve Saint-Laurent. La nature est éclatante de couleurs florales. L’énergie devient rayonnante l’Été. L’atmosphère est pétillante, les sonorités sont opulentes et puissantes, et l’œuvre se conclut avec brillance et dynamisme.

SKU: BT.GOB-000468-140

In ‘Land of Legends’ German composer Andreas Ludwig (what’s in a name) Schulte takes you along to the fictional world of legends, myths and fairy tales.
The introduction to the first part (The Castle) describes the majestic contours of the scene of action. Its instrumentation (horns) immediately makes you imagine being in Medieval spheres.
The addition of trenchant copper instruments even gives the part a heroic tinge. After entering through the gate, a lot of hustle and bustle appears to be going on in the courtyard. Pages, squires and soldiers are busy attending to their arms. Beer is being brewed, flax is being spun, cattle are being tended and some craftsmen fromneighbouring villages are busily at work.
In the upper chamber of the round tower lives an old man (The Old Wizard). He hardly ever comes out, and nobody knows exactly what he is doing. It is said that he is engaged in wizardry and magic. It is all very mysterious.
There are also festivities, some of them sober, others exuberant.
The wedding in the third part is celebrated in a grand manner. With a flourish of trumpets, the bride makes her entrance at the hand of her father. Afterwards, at the party there is dancing to the music played by minstrels and of course a plentiful banquet follows.

In ‘Land of Legends’ worden we door de Duitse componist Andreas Ludwig (what’s in a name) Schulte meegenomen in de fictieve wereld van legendes, sagen en sprookjes.
De inleiding van het eerste deel (The Castle) beschrijft de majestueuzecontouren van de plaats van handeling. De instrumentatie (hoorns) zorgt er mede voor dat we ons direct in Middeleeuwse sferen wanen.
De toevoeging van het scherp koper geeft zelfs een heldhaftige tintje.Wanneer we doorde poort naar binnen gaan blijkt dat het op binnenplaats een en al bedrijvigheid is.
De pages, schildknapen en soldaten houden zich bezig met het in tact houden van de wapenuitrusting. Er wordt bier gebrouwen, vlas gesponnen,het vee wordt verzorgd en enkele ambachtslieden uit de omliggende dorpen zijn druk in de weer.
In de bovenste kamer van de ronde toren verblijft een oude wijze man (The old Wizzard). Hij laat zich bijna nooit zien, niemandweet wat hij precies doet. Er wordt gezegd dat hij zich bezig houdt met tovenarij/magie. Het is een groot mysterie, in nevelen gehuld.
Gefeest werd er ook. De ene keer sober de andere keer uitbundig.
De bruiloft in het derdedeel heeft allure. Onder luid trompetgeschal wordt de bruid aan de hand van haar vader binnengebracht. Tijdens het feest wordt er gedanst onder begeleiding van de troubadours en natuurlijk volgt een bourgondische maaltijd.

SKU: BT.GOB-000258-010

Les Marteaux de La Marine was composed in 1999 as a commission by the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy.

The composition contains three static elements which interchange. Static in this case means that development of the material isnot pursued (by the composer).
The first element with which the piece begins is tranquil and colourful. The second element is sharp and incisive, while the third expresses energy. In all elements a repeated tone is the starting point whichexplains the hammers in the works title.The instrumentation is richly variegated with a harp also determining the palette of colours in the slower movements.

The composition opens with an atmospheric Larghetto containing fine harmonies in thesoft and subtly moving wood-winds. The introduction breathes an impressionistic atmosphere in which expressive cantilenas and soloistic agile motifs stand out. A strong setting is followed by an Allegro virtuoso containing fast motifs contrasted withshort and rhythmic stars of the various instrumental sections. Trumpets and horns add a virtuoso bugle-call motif.
After a short stringendosection, the transparent Larghetto returns with a varied setting of the opening elements. The beautifulleading roles in this section are reserved for cornet (trumpet) and horn. Subsequently, the flashing Vivo starts with continuous movements in triplets from both wood-winds and brass. Next, the opening Allegro re-appears once again and thus LesMarteaux de la Marine ends with a fast and virtuoso climax.

Les Marteaux de La Marine was selected as a compulsory grade 6 contest piece for symphonic bands in the Netherlands.

Les marteaux de la marine werd in 1999 gecomponeerd in opdracht van de Marinierskapel van de Koninklijke Marine.

De compositie kent drie statische elementen, elkaar afwisselend. Statisch wil in dit geval zeggen dat er geen ontwikkeling vanhet materiaal wordt nagestreefd.
Het eerste element waarmee het stuk begint is rustig en kleurrijk. Het tweede element is vinnig en scherp terwijl het derde energie verbeeldt. In alle elementen is de herhaalde toon het uigangspunt waarmee dehamers (martaux) verklaard kunnen worden. De instrumentatie is rijk geschakeerd waarbij in de langzame gedeelten een harp medebepalend is voor het kleurenpalet.

De compositie vangt aan met een sfeervol Larghetto met fraaie harmonieën in hetzachte, subtiel bewegende, houtregister. De inleiding ademt een impressionistische sfeer uit, waarbij expressieve cantilenes en solistische beweeglijke motieven naar voren komen.
Dan volgt een virtuoos Allegro met snelle motieven afgezet doorkorte, ritmische inzetten van de diverse instrumentengroepen. De trompetten en hoorns voegen een virtuoos signaalmotief toe. Na en kort stringendo-gedeelte keert het transparante Larghetto terug met een gevarieerde zetting van de beginelementen. Decornet (trompet) en hoorn vervullen in dit gedeelte een fraaie hoofdrol. Vervolgens zet het flitsende Vivo in met voortdurende trioolbewegingen in zowel hout als koper. Vervolgens duikt het Allegro van het begin nog op en Les marteaux de la marinebesluit met een snelle en virtuoze climax.

Gobelin Music Publications.

SKU: CF.FPS152

ISBN 9781491152126. UPC: 680160909629.

Incursion was a collaboration between composer Sean O'Loughlin and the students of the commissioning group. When asked for a dark and scary sounding piece, O'Loughlin delivered in his typical fashion. Aggressive rhythmic figures set the tone of the piece early with a foreboding and dark melody in the lower voices.  The piece develops through a number of contrasting sections, providing plenty of exciting variations for students to enjoy.
Incursion is a dramatic, powerful work for the developing ensemble. The piece begins with an aggressive rhythmic idea that sets the tone for the composition. The lower voices enter with a foreboding and dark melody that carries on this feeling. The upper voices then split into counterpoint with the lower voices at m. 17. The counterpoint splits into three parts at m. 25, which culminates in a return to the opening rhythmic figure at m. 33. A contrasting slow section features some lush and haunting passages. Measure 54 brings the opening rhythmic figure back again, but this time includes a quietly intense approach. A recapitulation of the counterpoint and subsequent development follows. Measure 83 brings back the opening rhythmic idea one more time to conclude with a rousing finish.

SKU: CN.S11158

A powerful work. An opening fanfare leads directly to an Allegro risoluto, which exudes determination and forthrightness. The second movement follows without a break and is a continuous plaint in which the melody seems forever seeking resolution like a troubled soul searching for respite. Only in the closing bars does peace seem to take over. The final movement, marked Allegro non troppo, starts with a cheering fanfare that leads to a bright and breezy romp, with a rustic feel about it. When the fanfare reappears we are suddenly immersed in exaltations of joy that really give a feeling of optimism as we proceed to the end of the piece via a short Coda.

With this Symphony, Gordon Jacob proclaims his absolute mastery of idiom and instrumentation with a triumphant rejoicing. Written in 1978 as a commission from Arthur Doyle (hence the AD in the title, a typical piece of Jacob wit), it lay virtually unplayed save for the efforts of his Estate, Troy Peterson and Geoffrey Brand and CBDNA (College Band Directors Association, USA), who between them ensured that it was professionally recorded in 1994 and published in 1995. There is little point in indulging in semantics as to whether the piece is a Symphony. It is Jacob's approach to his tuneful, folk-based material which is symphonic: weighty in exposition and development, sonorous and expressive in the slow movement, with a scherzo-like last movement and a giocoso coda. After a brilliant opening fanfare, the quick triple-meter first theme (Allegro Risoluto) is introduced on clarinets, punctuated with brass. It is soon followed by a contrasting melody for saxophone. In all this material the interval of a 4th is prominent, and throughout the work the 4th and 7th are important. Perhaps it is the frequent use of the 7th which gives a feeling of restlessness without resolution which pervades this movement as the themes are dissected and developed. The second movement follows directly after a horn bridge. Still the melody outlines the 7th and the ear is not satisfied until the full band (with organ), comes to rest in Bb major. This point of repose and the magic pianissimo which follows shortly after when the slow theme is re-stated, are the apex of the Symphony's construction. Soon, however, we are transported, via a fanfare, into a helter-skelter 9/8 romp: rustic, English, and almost vulgar, this theme is thrown around the group before exploding into a boisterous 2/4 coda.

SKU: CF.CPS224

ISBN 9781491152508. UPC: 680160910007.

Rainbow in the Clouds is based on an old traditional spiritual, possibly an African-American song from the 19th century, entitled God Put a Rainbow in the Clouds.  Composer Carol Brittin Chambers was inspired by poetic Maya Angelou to create of setting of this beautiful song. It is lush and beautiful throughout and will highlight the musicianship of your students.  This would serve as a welcome change of pace piece on your program for concert or contest.
Rainbow in the Clouds was commissioned by the Pflugerville Middle School Wind Ensemble in Pflugerville, Texas, directed by Shauna Satrom. The piece premiered in May 2017, in memory and celebration of Luis Ham, who was an Assistant Principal at Pflugerville Middle School.This piece is based on an old traditional spiritual, possibly an African-American song from the nineteenth century, entitled God Put a Rainbow in the Clouds. The first time I heard reference to this song was in a Maya Angelou video, in which she sings a portion of it: “When it looked like the sun wouldn’t shine anymore, Oh, God put a rainbow in the clouds.” In the video, Dr. Angelou honors those who have demonstrated kindness to her in the past, and she suggests that we all try to be a blessing to others. The Pflugerville community believed that Mr. Ham, with his positive outlook, was definitely a “rainbow in the clouds” for other people.The piece begins with a full ensemble introduction, followed by a woodwind treatment of the first verse with a fairly reserved tempo and straight eighth-note rhythm. When brass pick up the melody on the second phrase, we start to hear the song more like the original spiritual, with dotted-eighth, sixteenth rhythms. The middle section of the piece at m. 22 begins to move at a slightly quicker tempo, and the mood becomes lighter. This section becomes a call-and-response between a euphonium solo and upper woodwinds. The final section of the piece involves everyone playing together joyously and full, eventually winding down with two more solo statements in flute and euphonium.Note to the Conductor:Use this piece to introduce or reinforce the following musical concepts:Lyrical, expressive playing varied stylesSolo responsibilitiesKey changes, tempo changes.

SKU: BT.CMP-0091-96-010

Black Granite is dedicated to the men and women who gave their lives in Vietnam, and whose names are forever engraved on the solemn black granite stone wall at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. This heroic march is a tribute to the fallen. A lyrical and inspiring woodwind chorale follows a driving and energetic horn line. A tremendous concert or contest opener!

Black Granite widmete der Amerikaner James L. Hosay den Männern und Frauen, die im Vietnamkrieg ihr Leben ließen und deren Namen in eine große Steinwand, der Black Granite stone wall“, am Vietnam-Denkmal in Washington, CD, eingraviert sind. Dieser heroische Marsch zelebriert den Mut und die Integrität dieser Menschen - auch in jedem anderen Zusammenhang wichtige Werte. Eine energiereiche Hornmelodie wird in diesem Stück von einem lyrischen, bewegenden Choral in den Holzbläsern abgelöst. Wunderbar geeignet zur Eröffnung eines Konzerts oder eines Wettbewerbs!

SKU: BT.DHP-0960784-010

This work, reminiscent of a film score, describes the history of the Dutch town Horn. A broad lyrical theme, played by the horns, depicts the history of this town on the river Meuse. A cheerful Allegro represents rural life around the town and its castle. Following this the horn theme returns and the music changes dramatically. A drum roll symbolises the times of war that the town and castle have known. The threatening music eventually develops once more into the hopeful horn theme, a sign of reconstruction and the future.

Piet Swerts (*1960) hat sich beim Schreiben dieses Werks musikalisch durch amerikanische Filmmusik, u. a. von John Williams, inspirieren lassen. Durch ein breites, lyrisches Horn-Thema wird die Entstehung des niederländischen Ortes Horn am Fluss Maas dargestellt. Dieses Thema symbolisiert die drei Hörner, die auf dem Wappenschild des Dorfes und des Grafen von Horn vorkommen. Ein munteres Allegro typisiert, wie in der Pastorale von Beethoven, das ländliche Leben rund um das Dorf und sein Schloss. Danach kommt das Thema der Hörner zurück und die Musik nimmt eine dramatische Wendung. Trommelwirbel symbolisieren Krieg! Die drohende Musik löst sich dann wieder imhoffnungsvollen Thema der Hörner auf.

Fantasy Tales décrit l’histoire de la ville de Horn aux Pays-Bas. L’œuvre développe un thème mélodique épique, lyrique, quasi filmique, qui retrace l’évolution de cette ville située sur les rives de la Meuse. L’interprétation de ce thème par les cors a une portée symbolique. En effet, le blason de la ville et les armoiries du comté de Horn sont constitués de trois cors de chasse rouges sur fond jaune. Un allegro joyeux, écrit dans le style d’une pastorale, dépeint la vie rurale autour de la ville et de son ch teau. Le thème initial est réexposé, mais la musique prend une tournure plus dramatique pour évoquer, travers des roulements de tambours, lesdiverses périodes de guerre. L’espoir renaît néanmoins. Le thème premier est repris et se fait le signe de la reconstruction, et de l’expansion. La ville de Horn est désormais tournée vers le futur.

SKU: CF.CPS213

ISBN 9781491152393. UPC: 680160909896.

Alcazar is a dynamic piece with a definite Spanish flair.  Using changing meters and syncopated rhythms in its Allegro introduction, the piece continues this vitality into its main theme alternating between 4/4 and 6/8 time signatures.  Alcazar should prove to be a favorite of your student musicians as well as your audiences.  This is the perfect vehicle for concert and contest performance.
Alcazar is a concert band work commissioned by the Cortland High School Concert Band, Richard B. Eleck, conductor, of the Cortland Enlarged City School District, Cortland, N.Y.  Premiered on June 1, 2017, Alcazar is a dynamic piece with a definite Spanish flair.  Using changing meters and syncopated rhythms in its Allegro introduction, the piece continues this vitality into its main theme alternating between 4/4 and 6/8 time signatures.  This opening theme then moves to a secondary theme largely in 5/4, first presented in the woodwinds, followed by a tutti section finishing with a punctuated conclusion to this Allegro.  The clarinets then take us into a melodic Andante middle section, using quarter-note triplets as its rhythmic motive. As this builds to a climax, we are moved into a return to the 5/4 Allegro heard earlier in the piece. As it seems to come to an end, a sudden use of the alternating 4/4, 6/8 earlier motive returns and takes us through an extended ending with a dynamic conclusion. Alcazar should prove to be a favorite of your student musicians as well as your audiences. This is the perfect vehicle for concert and contest performance.