For generations the people of the world walked in darkness unable to find their way. They yearned for a king who would lead them. Could This Be the Day? is one of the most memorable moments from Joseph and Pamela Martin'scantata Canticle of Joy and is available here as a separate octavo. Orchestrated by Brant Adams and incorporating “O Come O Come. Emmanuel ” this hauntingly beautiful Advent choral expresses the world's deeplonging and emotional prayers of hope that the Messiah will come.

The creative team that brought you The Lenten Sketches and Covenant of Grace now present a work filled with intensity and passion. In this work the silent witnesses to the last days of Christ speak in 5 soliloquies that testify to the timeless message of grace. These monologues are followed by beautiful musical moments that present new anthems as well as traditional Lenten hymns. This work designed primarily for Holy Week performance incorporates simple symbols (Palms Chalice Robe Crown of Thorns and Cross) to be presented as the work unfolds. Whispers of the Passion is supported by a complete line of products that will add a variety of options for churches of any size. Witha 30-35 minute performance time this flexible work can be integrated into a regular service or can even be done progressively over the weeks leading up to Good Friday. Reflect upon the gift of grace and the price of redemption as you experience the emotion of this inspired cantata.

New York is the city which fascinates and inspires Ruders. Time and again he goes back there to work. 'Manhattan Abstraction' (1982) subtitles - a symphonic skyline for large orchestra - was conceived there. Ruders’ Brittish colleague Oliver Knussen defines the piece as: - a performance of an extraordinary Morden-Times-like construction. It is a sort of symphonic sculpture which in the composer’s own words words propels forth from one particular inspiration: the New York profile as seen from Liberty Island one icy cold January day with it’s open clear sky and dazzling sun light. 'Manhatten Abstraction' appears as an amalgam of some of the compositorical habits foundin present pieces. For instance are present here compositorical ideas and melodic loans from 'Capriccio Pian’e Forte' 2nd String Quartet(1979) 'Four Compositions' (1980) and 2nd Piano Sonata(1982). The question at hand is mainly concerned with the enhanced elaboration of Ruders’ use of the classic English change-ringing system: a permuting method pre-determining the order of tone-appearances and /or tone groups; a serial technique in other words. In spite of the rigidly fixed material Ruders somehow manages to chisel out a personal expression by way of emphasising contrasting elements already existing within the material itself. The spiky repetitive sections form a counterpart to a more human violin-solo. This dialectical tension is - as hinted by the title - a symphonic abstraction of a fascinating metropolis; the most beautiful and the ugliest. The subtitle: a symphonic skyline reflects the musical erection of the Manhattan profile which under the clear sky materializes into the most powerful and compelling man-made sculpture on earth. Thus 'Manhattan Abstraction' is a homage to as well as a vision of this giant contraption of concrete glass and chrome.

A Cantata for Christmas-From John Leavitt comes this elegant cantata for Christmas set up in the form of a classic Lessons and Carols service. A colorful tapestry of beautiful sounds this major work has great variety in its scope and style. Whether presented with piano or John's chamber orchestration the sensitive writing will showcase the artful approach of a master arranger making this compilation of carols and readings a thoughtful choice for churches universities and community choruses. Highly recommended! Songs include: Veni Veni Emmanuel: People Look East: The Angel Gabriel: He Is Born the Divine Christ Child: Resonet in laudibus: What Sweeter Music: Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day: WeThree Kings of Orient Are: Sing Noel Alleluia! Score and Parts (fl 1-2/pic ob cl 1-2 bn perc 1-3 timp hp vn 1-2 va vc db) available as a Printed Edition and as a digital download.

Aside from The Barber Of Seville most of Rossini's thirty-nine operas are revived only rarely today. The overtures to his operas however are another matter entirely. Evergreen in their appeal many remain popular mainstays of orchestral repertoires worldwide loved by audiences for their elegance lively rhythms and beautiful melodies. This volume contains five of the most admired of Rossini's operatic overtures reprinted from authoritative full-score editions.