SKU: CF.CM9768

ISBN 9781491160343. UPC: 680160923298. Key: G major. English.

About the WorkThe text of this work is most often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, although it doesn't mirror his style, and no research credits an essay, book or letter with its source. Other individuals are occasionally suggested as possible authors, but equally unsubstantiated. Even whether the textis a poem or a quote seems unclear. But there is one thing that is without question: that this beloved text has inspired countless people and contributed toward a view of the world through eyes of hope, resilience, courage, beauty, and joy. Music for this text flowed more easily than about any text I have ever set. It has an emotional connection that is mystical, and after I read it for the first time, I immediately sat down and wrote this work without stop.Rehearsal NotesIn many cases, art is more expressive and reaches a wider range of human emotions when multiple artistic fields are fused together. Such is the case with choral music: the intertwining of literature, music, and very often dance, visual arts, and more. The story in choral music is often quite specific, much like film scoring. At times, the music is the picture frame (score) around the picture (text), while at others the music is the leading dramatic/emotional impetus.In the present case (My Farewell Wish), the text is sincere, innocent, heartfelt, and earnest. By all accounts, the message is altruistic, expressing selfless desire for another's present/future happiness. Capturing this message has a strong reliance on the performers to not only carry the emotional intent of the moment (a phrase of text or a measure), but the the energy and continuance of the message throughout.The use of the [o] vowel functions almost as instrumental interludes or underpinning of strings. The conductor may use the [o] as indicated in the score, or a [u] vowel, a hum (with [o] as the vowel inside the mouth), or all three at different times for different reasons. In an acoustical performance (no mic), the soloist and the ensemble are a reflection of each other's natural sound. And, even gentle, warm solo voices should have no trouble projecting.Two final thoughts: 1) the obbligato or added voice or two on high passages (m. 66) or a single note (final chord) will be best delivered by lyrical, pure voices with demonstrated control; and 2) the metronome marking of 80 bpm (mm. 1–81) was strongly considered and should be followed.About the ComposerZ. Randall Stroope is an American composer and conductor. His composition teachers were Normand Lockwood and Cecil Effinger, both students of the Nadia Boulanger, the famous French teacher (and student of Gabriel Fauré). Randall is the artistic director of two international summer music festivals, is an Honorary Board Member of the NationalAssociation of Italian Choral Directors, and has conducted in 25 countries. He has directed over 40 times at Carnegie Hall, and is a frequent conductor at other prestigious concert venues. Randall has 190 published works, and his music can be heard on Spotify, YouTube and other platforms, including his website (www.zrstroope.com).

SKU: XC.DCB2404FS

9 x 12 inches.

This clever new work by Laura Estes imagines Santa having quite a frustrating night! While delivering gifts, he is somehow trapped inside a mirror and can't get out. Chock-full of clever effects - Santa: Trapped in the Looking Glass is a fun and inspiring piece for musicians and audiences alike!

SKU: CF.CAS117F

ISBN 9781491153307. UPC: 680160910809. 9 x 12 inches.

Abendstern, composed by Lauren Bernofsky,?evokes an image of a sunset over the tree-covered hills of the Bavarian countryside with the Abendstern, or evening star, shining brightly over the scene. A hauntingly beautiful theme in falling thirds?evokes the treetops as they become darker and murkier. This piece is a wonderful addition to any concert program and can be used as a touching?tribute at a memorial service.
One summer night during a visit to Bavaria in southern Germany, I stood outside on a balcony overlooking the hills of the Bavarian forest, watching the beautiful early-evening sky. It was still light out, but I could make out one solitary star in the sky. As the sun slowly went down, the landscape became more and more dark and indistinct, and the star shone brighter and brighter. My mother-in-law stood there with me. I asked her the name of the star, and she answered, Abendstern (or Evening Star.) I was so moved by what I saw, I went inside and took out my manuscript paper and started to write down this piece. The tree-covered hills and tranquility of the evening are evoked by the theme, whose contour (with little bumps) mirrors the contour of the treetops on the hills. The star is represented by the sustained note E; at the beginning of the piece, it can be heard in a low register in the violas, and over the course of the piece, it is heard in higher and higher octaves, as the star shines ever more brightly. By the end, the landscape has disappeared into the darkness, and now all we see is the star, shining its brightest, and played by the upper strings, now harmonized to convey its brilliant light..
One summer night during a visit to Bavaria in southern Germany, I stood outside on a balcony overlooking the hills of the Bavarian forest, watching the beautiful early-evening sky. It was still light out, but I could make out one solitary star in the sky. As the sun slowly went down, the landscape became more and more dark and indistinct, and the star shone brighter and brighter. My mother-in-law stood there with me. I asked her the name of the star, and she answered, Abendstern (or Evening Star.) I was so moved by what I saw, I went inside and took out my manuscript paper and started to write down this piece. The tree-covered hills and tranquility of the evening are evoked by the theme, whose contour (with little bumps) mirrors the contour of the treetops on the hills. The star is represented by the sustained note E; at the beginning of the piece, it can be heard in a low register in the violas, and over the course of the piece, it is heard in higher and higher octaves, as the star shines ever more brightly. By the end, the landscape has disappeared into the darkness, and now all we see is the star, shining its brightest, and played by the upper strings, now harmonized to convey its brilliant light..
One summer night during a visit to Bavaria in southern Germany, I stood outside on a balcony overlooking the hills of the Bavarian forest, watching the beautiful early-evening sky. It was still light out, but I could make out one solitary star in the sky. As the sun slowly went down, the landscape became more and more dark and indistinct, and the star shone brighter and brighter. My mother-in-law stood there with me. I asked her the name of the star, and she answered, Abendstern (or Evening Star.) I was so moved by what I saw, I went inside and took out my manuscript paper and started to write down this piece. The tree-covered hills and tranquility of the evening are evoked by the theme, whose contour (with little bumps) mirrors the contour of the treetops on the hills. The star is represented by the sustained note E; at the beginning of the piece, it can be heard in a low register in the violas, and over the course of the piece, it is heard in higher and higher octaves, as the star shines ever more brightly. By the end, the landscape has disappeared into the darkness, and now all we see is the star, shining its brightest, and played by the upper strings, now harmonized to convey its brilliant light.

About Carl Fischer Concert String Orchestra Series

This series of pieces (Grade 3 and higher) is designed for advancing ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:

• Expanded use of rhythms, ranges and keys but technical demands are still carefully considered
• More comprehensive bowing techniques
• Viola T.C. included
• Careful selection of keys and degree of difficulty for advancing musicians

SKU: HL.14028004

ISBN 9788759860984. 12.0x16.5x0.438 inches.

Full score for this work for Guitar and Small Ensemble. Ruders writes: The word has its origin in ancient Greek: Psalmoidia i.e. 'singing to the harp', and we find the word again in Psalter, derived from Psallein 'playing the strings with the fingers'. 'Psalmodies' written for and dedicated to David Starobin, has no specific religious content or aim; the collection of eleven pieces forms a concert-suite, displaying a wide range of emotions; from the jubilant to the dismal, the guitar playing the natural leading part 'inside' a chorus of woodwinds and strings. The title and each movement mirrors the variety of moods, from the secular feast of A Fanfare for All to the sacred introversion of A Prayer with Halo. 'Psalmodies' opens with a guitar-solo and closes down with one: the rejoicing Entrance for One and the hushed, melancholy Exit for One, thus exemplifying the emotional compass, which I, in an essay on my first symphony; 'Himmelhoch Jauchsend-zum Tode betrubt' entitle: Of Joy and Grief. Of Worship and Oblivion.