SKU: MH.1-59913-072-6

ISBN 9781599130729.

Program Notes: It was a happy coincidence that the commission for SINFONIA XVI: TRANSCENDENTAL VIENNA came from the Henry David Thoreau School located in Vienna, Virginia. Thoreau is one of the magic names in American culture: Henry David Thoreau, one of the leading figures of the Transcendentalist movement, centered in 19th-century New England, left us a body of unique philosophical and poetical writings. To utter the words, Walden Pond, is to invoke an America long past in physical actuality, but still present in the minds and hearts of many American citizens. The name, Vienna, of course, summons thoughts of the Old World: culture, fine food, wine, civilized cities. While contemplating the form that SINFONIA XVI should take, I found myself thinking of two pillars of Viennese culture: expressionism and the waltz. Musically speaking, expressionism reached a zenith in the works of Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg. It was Berg, in particular, that I wanted to invoke in the outer movements of my composition. I knew I would also have to include a waltz, and an invocation of the mysterious forces that are contained in both expressionism and transcendentalism. Thus was the structure of the work generated. The outer movements with their vision of the night sky and the stars, Aldebaran and Sirius, frame the central movements, which are essentially two versions of the same material, and are quieter and less dramatic. The outer movements are symmetrical, and share both pitch and rhythmic materials. Accordingly, I see the work as a ternary form, with the central movements forming a unit within the outer frame: A (Movement 1) B (Movements 2 & 3) A' (Movement 4). Harmonically, the work can be summarized by the two pitch-series which occur in the opening bars of Movement 1: the initial 12-note row, with a tonal center on F-sharp (measures 1-6), and the subsequent D-minor Dorian 7-note row (beginning in measure 14). Aspects of these materials occur in all four movements, but they are most strongly present in Movements 1 and 4. Note that the 12-note row is not subjected to the usual serial procedures, but instead is treated as a signifier and is left unchanged. Since the fourth movement takes up where the first movement leaves off, I can conceive of one interpretation of SINFONIA XVI as an evocation of Thoreau himself contemplating two of the brightest stars on a clear, cold night. Aldebaran is an orange, first-magnitude star, located in the constellation Taurus; Sirius, the Dog Star, is the brightest star in the sky, and is located in the constellation Canis Major. Thoreau interrupts his star-gazing to entertain some inward thoughts, waking dreams, as it were, then returns his gaze to the splendid night sky and all its treasures. Although many other interpretations of the material are possible, it is important to remember that the abstract materials of the piece -- pitch, rhythm, structure -- are what count the most. Ensemble instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 4 Flute 1, 4 Flute 2, 3 Oboe, 1 Eb Clarinet (opt.), 4 Bb Clarinet 1, 4 Bb Clarinet 2, 4 Bb Clarinet 3, 3 Bass Clarinet, 3 Bassoon, 3 Eb Alto Saxophone 1, 3 Eb Alto Saxophone 2, 2 Bb Tenor Saxophone, 2 Eb Baritone Saxophone, 3 Bb Trumpet 1, 3 Bb Trumpet 2, 3 Bb Trumpet 3, 2 Horn 1, 2 Horn 2, 3 Trombone 1, 3 Trombone 2, 3 Euphonium B.C., 2 Euphonium T.C., 5 Tuba, 2 Timpani, 3 Percussion 1, 3 Percussion 2, 3 Percussion 3, 3 Percussion 4.

SKU: BT.GOB-000915-010

Based on the poems by German poet Carl Hauptmann (late Romanticism) and the English poet William Wordsworth (early Romanticism).

Carl Hauptmann was in poor health as a child, but highly intelligent. He studied philosophy, psychology and biology. In the latter he was admitted to the degree of doctor. His marriage provided financial independence, so that he could focus on his studies.
Hauptmann wrote various novels, plays, poetry and scientific works.

Night

Twilight floats above the valley's night
mists are hanging,
there's a whispering brook.
Now the covering veil is lifting quite:
come and look!
See the magicland before our gaze:
tall as dreams the silver mountains stand,
crossed by silent silver paths shining from a secret land.
Noble, pure, the dreaming country sleeps.
By the path the shadow black and hogh of a beach.
a wisp of a white smoke creeps to the dark'ning sky.
Where the valley is the darkest hued countless little lights shine silently.
O my soul!
Drink of solitude!



Carl Hauptmann



Wordsworth 'introduced' a new type of poetry, based on the speech of the common man. This was his answer to the poetry of the classicism which was bound by rigid rules. His definition of poetry was: the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings from emotions recollected in tranquility.

My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the sky

My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began.
So is it now I am a man.
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man.
And I could wish my days to be Bound each to each by natural piety.


William Wordsworth

In a truly poetic manner Harrie Janssen has transformed the contemplative thoughts of the poets into two compositions for Concert Band.

Two Symphonic Interludes is gebaseerd op gedichten van de Duitse dichter Carl Hauptmann (laat Romantiek) en de Engelse dichter William Wordsworth (vroeg Romantiek).

Carl Hauptmann had als kind een zeer zwakke gezondheidmaar was zeer intelligent. Hij studeerde Filosofie, Psychologie en Biologie. In het laatste vak promoveerde hij. Het huwelijk zorgde voor financiele onafhankelijkheid zodat hij zich kon richten op zijn verdere studie. Hauptmannschreef enkele romans, toneelstukken, poëzie en wetenschappelijke werken.

NIGHT - Carl Hauptmann

Twilight floats above the valley's night
mists are hanging,
there's a whispering brook.
Now thecovering veil is lifting quite:
come and look!
See the magic land before our gaze:
tall as dreams the silver mountains stand,
crossed by silent silver paths shining from a secret land.
Noble, pure, thedreaming country sleeps.
By the path the shadow black and hogh of a beech.
a wisp of a white smoke creeps to the dark'ning sky.
Where the valley is the darkest hued countless little lights shine silently.
O mysoul!
Drink of solitude!

Wordsworth 'introduceerde' een nieuw soort poëzie, gebaseerd op de taal van de gewone man. Het was een reactie op de aan strenge regels gebonden poëzie van het Classicisme. Zijn definitievan poëzie luidde: 'the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings from emotions recollected in tranquility'.

My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the sky - William Wordsworth

My heart leaps up whenI behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began.
So is it now I am a man.
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man.
And I could wish my days to be

SKU: CF.CPS216

ISBN 9781491152423. UPC: 680160909926.

Cosmic Expedition takes performers on a musical journey far across the galaxy via three main sections.  This fanfare composition would be perfect for opening a concert. It has bold brass fanfare figures over textural woodwinds to start and then takes the listener on a sonic journey through a variation of harmonic colors, tambural and textural shifts.
Cosmic Expedition takes performers on a musical journey far across the galaxy via three main sections. The first, a rather celebratory and triumphant fanfare in Bb major begins with the upper woodwinds and percussion creating a sound-screen, that is a busy texture consisting of a flurry of repeated notes over which the horns and alto saxophones present the opening theme. The sound-screen should be carefully balanced and give way to the melody at m. 5, which should be played extremely marcato. The timpani solo beginning in m. 11 must not be understated. A brief percussion interlude separates a restatement of the opening theme, this time with the addition of the trumpet, tenor saxophone, and euphonium, and a counter melody by the low winds. The percussion interlude is playful, light, but full of vigor and energy. An Ab in the low winds pulls the harmony towards G minor in m. 40 to start the second section, a more serious fanfare. Here, the marimba repeats an ostinato that is complemented by the bass drum and woodblock. The upper woodwinds with the xylophone and snare drum dance over the stern secondary fanfare. A longing call lead by the trombones, interrupted by a subtle snare drum beckons to the clarinets and horn who begin the third section of the piece at m. 68. This haunting melody in C minor is legato, and starkly contrasts all which came before it. A relentless concert tom-tom played with hard mallets keeps the momentum persistent, and a heartbeat-like pulse is felt from the tuba and baritone saxophone. The melody rises towards m. 84 when the brass harken back to the fanfare style before fading back into another lush woodwind strain.A recapitulation of the low winds’ call is heard at m. 100 which in this occasion intensifies into an emphatic statement by the battery percussion instruments. Now in Eb major, the opening fanfare theme is heard again once more before fading into the beginning of the piece’s conclusion.To end, the counter melody from the opening section duels with chromatic tension above before swelling to an arrival in the original key of Bb major. The full ensemble celebrates the piece’s resolution, and after a few crunchy power chords the journey is completed.

SKU: CL.012-4258-01

Written for band students in Talkeetna, Alaska, near base camp of Mt. McKinley, Avalanche! is a heart-pounding adrenaline rush from beginning to end. Transport your audience to rugged, snow-capped peaks with the heroic opening. Harmonic and rhythmic dissonance builds suspense as the avalanche is triggered and begins its deadly pursuit down the mountain. Avalanche will be a rewarding challenge for your students and will grip your audience from beginning to end.