SKU: CY.CC2769

As the title suggests the work dying and dancing for Euphonium solo and Piano accompaniment is in two parts, which are played without a pause between the two.

The first part, an adagio, is not necessarily meant to be evocative of the actual act of passing away, but more perhaps of the contemplation and reflection upon one's life as that time approaches, and particularly of sorrow over regret and disappointment. The unsettled mood of the music reflects this bitterness, and stands in contrast to the expansive peace of the grave, heard at the beginning and end of the adagio.

Dance, with ironic wit, the second part, is the other side of the same coin; perhaps humor of the gallows describes its spirit. At once fatalist and mocking, it brings to mind the words of the ancient teacher Koheleth, The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

I was pleased to compose dying and dancing in 2013 for Mark Kellogg, a superb Euphonium artist and my former trombone iProfessor at the Eastman School of Music.

SKU: CY.CC2496

* Alexander Scriabin's music has been described as mystical, lyrical and idiosyncratic. * He was a most innovative and controversial early modern Russian composer. * Scriabin's works were ignored for many years until recently and are now seen as sincere expression(s) of genius. * The Three Etudes for Euphonium and Piano are early works of Scriabin, originally written for solo Piano. * They show lyricism, passion, moodiness, chromatic harmonies and great expression. * Mr. Sauer has once again arranged three wonderful new works for advanced performers who wish to explore Scriabin's music, largely unknown to the Euphonium world. * Those who do will be richly rewarded with the great depth of musicianship found in these works. * The three movements are about 9-10 in length and suitable for advanced performers.

SKU: CY.CC2516

Le Rossignol or the Nightingale is originally a vocalise for Soprano solo from Saint-Saen's incidental orchestral music for the play, Parysatis written in 1902. This 4 minute work is all about mood. For this arrangement, Mr. Sauer transposes into the key of C, which lays perfectly for all of the bird-like calls that are in phrases which are slurred. The music has a lot of ad lib. tempo sections which gives the performer plenty of time to create that magic call of the Nightingale. Early writers thought it was the female that sang, but in fact it is the male. The Nightingale usually sings at night or just before dawn when other birds are silent and has a strong spontaneous song with an impressive range of trills and whistles.

SKU: FL.FX071144

In a Cotton Club mood.
The chasse-croise of quarter notes and eight notes triplets together with Piano incite to dance and remind us of cabarets' ambiance of the 1920s. This piece, coupled with a faster one is an ideal combination to propose for end of first cycle exam.