SKU: SU.27170050

Dramatic, cinematic work in the style of grand fantasy film score with a lush, glittering opening section and ending in an emotional climax. Reduced in time and performing forces from the 2017 original, appropriate for pops and children's programming and COVID-era performances.Orchestra Duration: 4' Composed: 2020 Published by: Nauticus Publishing Performance materials available on rental:.

SKU: HL.42537

UPC: 884088521288. 11.25x17.0x0.513 inches.

SKU: PR.41641576L

UPC: 680160636549. 11 x 17 inches.

The 1712 Overture stands out in P.D.Q. Bach's oeuvre for two reasons, among others: it is by far the most programmatic instrumental piece among those by the minimeister of Wein-am-Rhein so far unearthed, and 2) its discovery has led to a revelation about the composer's father, Johann Sebastian Bach, that has exploded like a bombshell on the usually serene musicological landscape. The overture is based on an anecdote told to P.D.Q. Bach by a cousin, Peter Ulrich. Since P.U. Bach lived in Dudeldorf, only a few miles down the road from Wein-am-Rhein, he was P.D.Q.'s closest relative, and he was, in fact, one of the few members of the family who was on speaking terms with P.D.Q. The story, related to P.D.Q. (fortunately for us posterity types) in a letter, may be summarized thus: The town of Dudeldorf was founded by two brothers, Rudi and Dieter Dudel, early in the 18th century. Rudi remained mayor of the newborn burg for the rest of his long life, but Dieter had a dream of starting a musicians' colony, an entire city devoted to music, which dream, he finally decided, could be realized only in the New World. In 1712, he and several other bagpipers sailed to Boston, never to return to Germany. (Henceforth, Rudi became known as der deutscher Dudel and Dieter as the Yankee Dudel). Unfortunately, the head of the Boston Musicians' Guild had gotten wind of Dudel's plans, and Wilhelm Wiesel (pron. VEE-zle), known none too affectionately around town as Wiesel the Weasel, was not about to share what few gigs there were in colonial America with more foreigners and outside agitators. He and his cronies were on hand to meet Dudel's boat when it pulled into Boston Harbor; they intended to prevent the newcomers' disembarkation, but Dudel and his companions managed to escape to the other side of the bay in a dinghy, landing with just enough time to rent a carriage and horses before hearing the sound of The Weasel and his men, who had had to come around the long way. The Germans headed West, with the Bostonians in furious pursuit. soon the city had been left far behind, and by midnight so had the pursuers; Dieter Dudel decided that it was safe for him and his men to stop and sleep until daybreak. When they awoke, they found that they were in a beautiful landscape of low, forested mountains and pleasant fields, warmed by the brilliant morning sun and serenaded by an entrancing variety of birds. Here, Dudel thought, her is where I will build my colony. The immigrants continued down the road at a leisurely pace until they came upon a little church, all by itself in the countryside, from which there suddenly emanated the sounds of a pipe organ. At this point, the temptation to quote from P.U. Bach's letter to P.D.Q. cannot be resisted: They went inside and, after listening to the glorious music for a while, introduced themselves to the organist. And who do you think it was? Are you ready for this -- it was your old man! Hey, no kidding -- you know, I'm sure, that your father was the guy to get when it came to testing new organs, and whoever had that one in Massachusetts built offered old Sebastian a tidy sum to go over there and check it out. The unexpected meeting with J.S. Bach and his sponsors was interrupted by the sound of horse hooves, as the dreaded Wiesel and his men thundered on to the scene. They had been riding all night, however, and they were no spring chickens to start with, and as soon as they reached the church they all dropped, exhausted, to the ground. The elated Germans rang the church bells and offered to buy everyone a beer at the nearest tavern. There they were taught, and joined in singing, what might be called the national anthem of the New World. The melody of this pre-revolutionary patriotic song is still remembered (P.D.Q. Bach quotes it, in the bass instruments, near the end of the overture), but is words are now all but forgotten: Freedom, of thee we sing, Freedom e'er is our goal; Death to the English King, Long live Rock and Ross. The striking paucity of biographical references to Johann Sebastian Bah during the year 1712 can now be explained: he was abroad for a significant part of that year, testing organs in the British Colonies. That this revelation has not been accepted as fact by the musicological establishment is no surprise, since it means that a lot of books would have to be rewritten. The members of that establishment haven't even accepted the existence of P.D.Q. Bach, one of whose major works the 1712 Overture certainly is. It is also a work that shows Tchaikowsky up as the shameless plagiarizer that some of us have always known he was. The discovery of this awesome opus was made possible by a Boston Pops Centennial Research Commission; the first modern performance took place at the opening concert of the 100th anniversary season of that orchestra, under the exciting but authentic direction of John Williams.

SKU: SU.91580100

A Grateful Tail - Movement by Movement Siriusly, Dog Star Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, has been used by travelers and navigators for thousands of years as a guiding star and so it is here as the opening movement for the symphony. Sirius, the cornerstone to the constellation Canis Maggiore or Big Dog sits at the foot of Orion, the hunter, leading the way. Highly cinematic, the movement evokes both a musical and visual sense of the mythological and mysterious elements of Sirius and its Dog Godstar secrets. From the clarion call of the opening, Sirius theme, the sound is buoyant and frisky emulating the nature of doggy playtime. Puppy pleasures abound as a doggy four-step, my turn on the traditional American two-step dance, is introduced. The movement transforms into an actual orchestrated frolic of small, large and medium dog barks beginning with the winds (smaller dogs) and ultimately, the big dog, brass. The movement climaxes with the coda or, Dog Park, where the winds and the brass bark and play together over the, doggy ostinato four-step rhythm, culminating with the final call of the Sirius theme. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, Peacefully It's all in a dog's day and life. Tranquility presides over this supremely gentle, intermezzo-like movement. After a day of play, every dog needs rest. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, is a lyrical andante inspired by the profound serenity and beauty of a dog at rest. The Last Will and Testament of Silverdene Emblem O'Neill Based on a powerful piece of prose written by the American playwright, Eugene O'Neill this text was intended as a consolation piece for Carlotta, his wife, who had become grief-stricken over the loss of their beloved dog, the Dalmatian known as Blemie.Written for a singing actor who personifies the role of Blemie, a dog at the end of his life, the movement plays like a one act, musical drama as we follow Blemie through a wonderfully three-dimensional, emotional and psychological journey writing his Last Will and Testament, for those who have loved him. Wagging the Tail: Ossia Fido's Lament A life-affirming rumba/samba using Blemie's final words from O'Neill's text, this final movement employs the most unique American musical invention, the gospel choir. In order to make the dances come alive, this movement also calls upon the colors of a rhythm section. Creating the spirit of an Irish Funeral, the movement is a joyful and revival-like celebration of a dog's life as its spirit lives on forever in the hearts and minds of dog lovers everywhere. Remember Me, remember me! My spirit is wagging a grateful tail. Published by: Subito Music Publishing Release Date: July 9, 2013.

SKU: AP.49897S

ISBN 9781470657307. UPC: 038081575452. English.

A Utopian Fantasia, by Anthony Granata, depicts a beautifully majestic and serene landscape shrouded in mystery and wonder. Set in the key of E minor, the opening features a rich legato ballad with an eerily somber melody passing through each section of the orchestra. The mood abruptly shifts to a jarring and heavily accented six-note motif. Reminiscent of Classical literature, a small contrapuntal passage develops this motif, interspersed with the original opening melody. Inversions of the theme finally give way to a call-and-response dialogue within the different sections of the orchestra before finally ending quietly and slowly with a subtle hint to the opening. (3:00).

SKU: AP.49122S

UPC: 038081563565. English.

This version of Ride Through the Valley by Chris Bernotas is part of our Alfred FLEX offerings and is designed with maximum flexibility for use by any mix of instruments---wind, strings, and percussion, including like- or mixed-ensembles with as few as 5 players. The suggested instrumentation and a customizable Teacher Map will help you plan out how to best assign parts to suit your ensemble's needs. It also comes with supplemental parts for maximum flexibility. With the purchase of this piece, permission is granted to photocopy the parts as needed for your ensemble. A percussion accompaniment track is also available as a free download. String parts have been carefully edited with extra fingerings and appropriate bowings to support students in mixed ensembles playing in less familiar keys.

The fast-paced opening of Bernotas' Ride Through the Valley builds momentum, leading to a bright and tuneful main theme. A lyrical contrasting section follows featuring a warmth of colors enhanced by vibraphone and gracefully cascading arpeggiated pyramids. A brief transition leads to a return of the main theme including a key change, bringing the piece to a driving conclusion. (4:26)

Percussion Accompaniment Track Downloads:
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This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

SKU: AP.BFO9910C

UPC: 029156991710. English.

The Sound and the Fury was inspired by the literary work of the same name by William Faulkner, known for his epic portrayal of the conflicts between the old and new South. Opening with a vibrant drama of punctuating thrusts in strings, winds, and percussion, the mood only shifts when we move to a lyrical and ambient section of contrasting sounds. Powerful strokes return, moving to a dramatic conclusion. A superior choice for concert or contest with guaranteed stunning audience appeal. Playable by strings or by adding any winds and percussion up to full orchestra. (2:04).

SKU: HL.48024115

ISBN 9780851628219. UPC: 888680708962. 7.25x10.25 inches.

This work was written for the Britten Sinfonia and Nicholas Daniel, and is dedicated to him. It is in three movements. The first opens with a gradual building up of rhythmic layers on violas, bassoon and trumpet before the soloist joins in. Suddenly the music is thrown forward by a metrical modulation and becomes very fast, flighty and virtuosic. Structurally, the music eventually goes into reverse before a solemn coda. The second movement is based on an earlier work for solo oboe, in angustiis... The solo material is expressive and sad, and enters into much dialogue with other wind instruments throughout. The reflective character of the movement is interrupted by little dyadic patterns, various pizzicato outbursts, some scherzo-like material and agitated faster passages, but the principal mood is introverted and cantabile. The last movement begins brashly and has a clownish character. The overall feeling is extrovert and dramatic, showing off the oboe in fast display. Some of the original ideas from the opening movement are re-introduced in new guises, before an exultant and joyous ending.

SKU: AP.48099S

ISBN 9781470655112. UPC: 038081554426. English.

Written in the key of D minor, Minor Altercations by Anthony Granata is an intense, contemporary piece opening with an accented, off-beat rhythmic motif that constantly returns as new material is gradually built upon it. Your orchestra will sound like they're arguing, fighting, or possibly having a small (minor) altercation. Featuring counterpoint, rhythmic independence, a contrasting middle section, and a powerful coda, this exciting piece will engage and challenge your orchestra. (3:00) This title available in MakeMusic Cloud.

SKU: KJ.JO2002C

It was with great pleasure that received a commission from my good friends at the Johnstown (Pennsylvania) Symphony Orchestra, Istvan Jaray, music director and conductor, to write a work for the opening of their 1996-1997 season. My intention was to write a lively work which highlighted the strengths of this musical organization while being accessible and appealing to their loyal audience members. In trying to tie something unique about Johnstown to the work, came up with the title, Iridium, which is a term that deals with the production of metal. During the writing of the work, my friend, colleague, and former teacher, Hugh Johnson passed away. Dr. Johnson, faculty emeritus at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, was a terrific musician who was always enthusiastic about orchestral music! It is this enthusiasm and energy that have tried to capture in this new work, which is dedicated to Dr. Johnson's memory. Finally, would like to thank Maestro Jaray and Tony Blackner for their interest in my work. With Iridium comes my best wishes to Maestro Jaray and the orchestra for a fantastic new season of music-making. -Jack Stamp (August, 1996).

SKU: LO.30-3290L

UPC: 000308143454.

Let freedom ring wherever minds know what it means to be in chains. Mark Hayes's masterful arrangement of the Gaither's fervent choral prayer is equally effective with Mark's superb piano accompaniment or orchestration. Glorious harmonic color, an optional opening duet, and rich yet accessible vocals enhance the timeless theme.

SKU: AP.49059S

ISBN 9781470645779. UPC: 038081565255. English.

Written specially to help young players gain confidence and build upon their beginning playing abilities, Sinfonietta for Strings by Anthony Granata echoes the composition style of the classical period. A Sinfonietta is a smaller and lighter version of the symphony. Set in the key of G major, students will love the broad and vigorous unison opening, the sudden change to E minor, and the mixture of dialogue and easy counterpoint interwoven throughout the piece. This piece will help your students develop skills in proper right-hand bow facility, simple slur and bowing patterns, common rhythms, identification of accidentals, and use of dynamics to achieve a very strong and dramatic sound. (3:05) This title available in MakeMusic Cloud.

SKU: AP.33720S

UPC: 038081378015. English.

A frenetic pace characterizes this piece written in the true Italian style of the 6/8 couples dance. Thought to have been danced to ward off the effects of the bite of the tarantula spider, there's nothing that severe here---just a wonderful, percussive rondo. The piece features some lively syncopation and ends with an extended finish that gets more rousing with each passing measure. Your audiences will be tapping their feet from the opening measure, and your orchestra will want to play it over and over.