SKU: PR.111401770

UPC: 680160003372.

This text of this piece use four languages - English, Hebrew, Italian, and French - to express joy and give thanks. Except for the word 'joy' which is presented simultaneously in all four languages at the outset of the work, the rest of the composition was composed initially without words.
In 1981, WFMT Radio in Chicago commissioned twelve composers to write short fanfares in celebration of the station’s thirtieth anniversary.  For one month at a time, each composer’s Fanfare was heard every day at a previously unannounced time slot.  Because of my special fondness for the human voice as an instrument, I decided to make my Fanfare a vocal one.  “My” month in this series being the month of November, the idea of giving thanks naturally suggested itself.  Though the work can be performed live by a minimum of five female voices, I really wanted to limit timbre differentiation to a minimum — hence the idea of pre-recording two singers and multi-tracking them.  And, in any event, it seemed especially appropriate to compose a work of this nature for the radio, a medium that is certainly quite distinct from the concert-hall. For a text, I put together a series of words in English, Hebrew, Italian and French, all concerned with joy and giving thanks.  Except for the word joy which is presented simultaneously in all four languages at the outset of the work, the rest of the composition was composed initially without words.  In a process akin, perhaps, to the orchestrating of music already composed, the words were then strung together by me to fit the sounds and the rhythms (a reversal, at least for me, of the usual process of combining text and music).

SKU: PR.446413400

UPC: 680160667406. 9 x 12 inches.

Tightrope Walker is my first piece for full orchestra. Given the large forces available to me, I wanted to write something exciting, colorful and visceral. I remembered back to when I was a kid going to see the Cirque du Soleil. That trip made a big impression on me, especially the high wire performers. These were artists performing super-human feats high in the air, where even the slightest mistake guaranteed a fatal ending. This idea of danger, of risking one's life to entertain an audience has stayed with me, and Tightrope Walker is my attempt at recreating that special childhood experience. The opening of the piece hints at what's to come - a steady, walking pulse interrupted by missteps in the woodwinds. These missteps increase until the entire orchestra comes crashing down - not a good sign for our Tightrope Walker. The tempo slows and the atmosphere becomes tense. The primary themes of the piece are presented in fragments, most notably the Tightrope Walker's theme in the horns. The orchestra gradually recovers from the previous fall, becoming more lively and coherent until the original, faster tempo is restored. We are now at the circus, excited and expectant, and the fragmentary themes heard previously are now presented in their full forms. The anticipation builds until we hear a solo drum roll - the main act is about to begin. The second half of the piece depicts the Tightrope Walker performing for his audience. But from the outset, as in the beginning of the piece, we hear there are problems. The pressure mounts, the audience clamoring for more, until Tightrope Walker comes to a decisive and potentially fatal end.
Tightrope Walker is my first piece for full orchestra.  Given the large forces available to me, I wanted to write something exciting, colorful and visceral.  I remembered back to when I was a kid going to see the Cirque du Soleil.  That trip made a big impression on me, especially the high wire performers.  These were artists performing super-human feats high in the air, where even the slightest mistake guaranteed a fatal ending.  This idea of danger, of risking one’s life to entertain an audience has stayed with me, and Tightrope Walker is my attempt at recreating that special childhood experience.The opening of the piece hints at what's to come - a steady, walking pulse interrupted by missteps in the woodwinds.  These missteps increase until the entire orchestra comes crashing down - not a good sign for our Tightrope Walker.  The tempo slows and the atmosphere becomes tense.  The primary themes of the piece are presented in fragments, most notably the Tightrope Walker's theme in the horns.  The orchestra gradually recovers from the previous fall, becoming more lively and coherent until the original, faster tempo is restored.We are now at the circus, excited and expectant, and the fragmentary themes heard previously are now presented in their full forms.  The anticipation builds until we hear a solo drum roll - the main act is about to begin.  The second half of the piece depicts the Tightrope Walker performing for his audience.  But from the outset, as in the beginning of the piece, we hear there are problems.  The pressure mounts, the audience clamoring for more, until Tightrope Walker comes to a decisive and potentially fatal end.

SKU: PR.14440757S

ISBN 9781491136539. UPC: 680160689347.

Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Septet is the first major work written for this combination of instruments, and the pioneering process was greatly enjoyed by the composer: “While the instrumentation of the Septet provides an almost orchestral palette, and it was interesting to explore that, I love the idea of seven artist-performers, each of whom can be a stunning virtuoso one moment and a thoughtful partner the next, and I relish the electricity that results from those shifting roles.” Septet was written for the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio and the Miami String Quartet, to whom it is dedicated. String parts available on rental. For advanced ensembles. Duration: 24’.
Writing music is a labor of love for me.  My greatest joy is writing for performers whom I can be sure will not only deliver the notes accurately, but will project the meaning behind the notes.  To have performers in the wings who will bring their own imagination and deep understanding to a performance is an inspiration to me.  So I approached the writing of my Septet for the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio and the Miami String Quartet with great anticipation and pleasure.The fact that there is no model for such a Septet made the pre-composition process a most enjoyable exploration.  I liked the idea of having two strong ensemble personalities in the mix, and I thought that there must be some sort of challenging interchange at the outset.  The first movement, “Introductions,” (note the plural) starts with the piano trio throwing down the gauntlet and the string quartet entering quietly, but gradually (almost one by one) joining with the trio to make a true septet with multi-faceted relations.  The second movement, “Quasi una Passacaglia,” is based on a repeated phrase pattern.  Part of the formal design is a contrast between “Baroque” style performance and modern, more romantic ways of playing.  “Games,” the third movement, involves much playful interplay and the fourth movement, “Au revoir,” offers both reminiscence and farewell – not “good-bye,” but “until we meet again.”Throughout the piece, two of my persistent fascinations are explored: firstly, my interest in designing initial material that can evolve into large-scale form, and secondly, the pleasure I take in chamber music.  While the instrumentation of the Septet provides an almost orchestral palette and it was interesting to explore that, I love the idea of 7 artist-performers, each of whom can be a stunning virtuoso one moment and a thoughtful partner the next, and I relish the electricity that results form those shifting roles.

SKU: HL.4006319

UPC: 888680979720.

Right from the outset until the very end, the speed, energy and drive of the tuneful music is palpable. Its abundantly clear why the title Seatbelts Fastened! was chosen: just like an airplane, this music takes off and neither tempo nor intensity are lost throughout the flight. Descending and ascending scales characterise the most important thematic material and the music explores a variety of different registers through Van der Roost utilising a great deal of different tonalities and metres. Please keep your seatbelts fastened and enjoy the flight!

SKU: CA.5199219

ISBN 9790007293147. German. Text: van Swieten, Gottfried.

Joseph Haydn's oratorio Die sieben letzten Worte unseres Erlosers am Kreuze is probably one of the most frequently performed settings of music for Good Friday. Haydn set these Seven Words in a dramatic, extremely gripping emotional style which is utterly compelling. Originally the work was conceived as a purely instrumental composition - as meditative music in seven slow movements with an introduction and concluding movement (Il Terremoto - the earthquake) for a Passiontide church service. From the outset, Haydn had composed the themes of the movements with a vocal spirit in mind, so when he heard a vocal arrangement of his work in 1794 in Passau with a German singing text - an obvious idea - it inspired him to write his own vocal version. The first performance took place in 1796 in Vienna. With the flourishing of choral societies in the 19th century, this vocal version of the Seven Words became one of the most frequently-performed Passion music settings of all. The critical Urtext edition of the work now published offers a revised musical text reflecting current scholarly standards.

SKU: BT.EMBZ8377

English-German-Hungarian.

The idea of composing 'Games' was suggested by children playing spontaneously, children for whom the piano still means a toy. They experiment with it, caress it, attack it and run their fingers over it. They pile up seemingly disconnected sounds, and if this happens to arouse their musical instinct they look consciously for some of the harmonies found by chance and keep repeating them. Thus this series does not provide a tutor, nor does it simply stand as a collection of pieces. It is a possibility for experimenting and not for learning to play the piano.Pleasure in playing, the joy of movement - daring and if need be fast movement over the entire keyboard right from the firstlessons instead of clumsy groping for keys and the counting of rhythms - all these rather vague ideas lay at the outset of the creation of this collection. Playing - is just playing. It requires a great deal of freedom and initiative from the performer. On no account should the written image be taken seriously but the written image must be taken extremely seriously as regards the musical process, the quality of sound and silence. We should trust the picture of the printed notes and let is exert its influence upon us. The graphic picture conveys an idea about the arrangement in time of even the most free pieces. We should make use of all that we know and remember of free declamation, folk-music parlando-rubato, of Gregorian chant and of all that improvisational musical practice has ever brought forth.Let us tackle bravely even the most difficult task without being afraid of making mistakes: we should try to create valid proportions, unity and continuity out of the long and short values - just for our own pleasure! (BMC CD 139).

SKU: BR.OB-5283-15

ISBN 9790004332832. 10 x 12.5 inches.

Robert Schumann's Violoncello Concerto op. 129 can be regarded as the first great concerto for this instrument's repertoire. It is thus somewhat surprising that this work had an extremely problematic reception history at the outset.Schumann wrote the score in 1850, during his Dusseldorf years, but there was neither a concrete occasion nor a soloist for a world premiere. After its publication, more years elapsed before the world premiere. It was only towards the end of the 19th century that Schumann's Cello Concerto finally made its breakthrough as a repertoire piece. The Urtext edition is based on the original print of the parts and the piano reduction, which had still been supervised by Schumann. In addition, the autograph of the score was consulted for purposes of comparison. The internationally renowned soloist Heinrich Schiff took part in the preparation of the edition for violoncello and piano. His experiences have been incorporated into his arrangement of the solo part. With his comments, Schiff also provides valuable tips on the interpretation of the work.

A key work of the romantic concerto repertoireThe piano reduction by Robert Schumann contains the unsigned solo part as well as the solo part arranged and annotated by Heinrich Schiff.

SKU: CA.5199203

ISBN 9790007186661. German. Text: van Swieten, Gottfried.

Joseph Haydn's oratorio Die sieben letzten Worte unseres Erlosers am Kreuze is probably one of the most frequently performed settings of music for Good Friday. Haydn set these Seven Words in a dramatic, extremely gripping emotional style which is utterly compelling. Originally the work was conceived as a purely instrumental composition - as meditative music in seven slow movements with an introduction and concluding movement (Il Terremoto - the earthquake) for a Passiontide church service. From the outset, Haydn had composed the themes of the movements with a vocal spirit in mind, so when he heard a vocal arrangement of his work in 1794 in Passau with a German singing text - an obvious idea - it inspired him to write his own vocal version. The first performance took place in 1796 in Vienna. With the flourishing of choral societies in the 19th century, this vocal version of the Seven Words became one of the most frequently-performed Passion music settings of all. The critical Urtext edition of the work now published offers a revised musical text reflecting current scholarly standards.

SKU: PR.14440526S

UPC: 680160584772. 8.5 x 11 inches.

By commission of the Siemens Foundation for Irvine Arditti and the Arditti String Quartet, Felder has created a work of dynamic contrasts. From the outset, he asks much of the strings (Fiery - very aggressive!) through a sustained fortissimo passage, shifting quickly to alternate states (suddenly subdued) and effects (effervescent). Afire, intense, perky, even mechanically! - incessant are instructions throughout. For advanced performers. Duration: 19'.

SKU: SU.80101412

Rhapsody (2014) for organ was written for and is dedicated to Christian Lane. The work begins quietly and gradually builds in intensity, developing in several sections entirely from material presented at the outset. Instrumentation: Organ Duration: 9' Composed: 2014 Published by: Zimbel Press.

SKU: CF.W2687

ISBN 9781491150955. UPC: 680160908455. 9x12 inches.

This new edition of Jean Baptiste Arban's Fourteen Characteristic Studies for Trombone, edited by Alan Raph, was specifically written to provide the student with suitable material with which to test his powers of endurance, according to Arban himself.
The following fourteen studies have been specifically written to provide the student withsuitable material with which to test his powers of endurance. In taking up these studies, he willdoubtless be fatigued, especially at the outset, by those numbers requiring an unusual length ofbreath. However, through careful study and experience he will learn to overcome the difficultiesand will acquire the resources which will enable him to master this particular phase of playingwith ease. As a means to this end, attention is drawn to cantabile passages in particular, whichshould be played with the utmost expression, yet at the same time with as much modified toneas possible. On the cornet, as with the voice, clear tones may be obtained by widening thelips and veiled tones by contracting them. This happy circumstance allows the performer anopportunity to rest while still continuing to play, and at the same time enables him to introduceeffective contrasts into the execution. It should be noted that by little artifices of this kind, andby skillfully conserving his resources, the player will reach the end of the longest and mostfatiguing pieces, not only without difficulty, but even with a reserve of strength and power,which, when brought to bear on the final measures of a performance, never fails to impress anaudience.At this point my task as professor (using the written instead of the spoken word) willend. There are things which appear clear enough when stated verbally but which when writtendown on paper cause confusion, seem obscure, and even sometimes appear trivial.There are other things of such an elevated and subtle nature that neither speech norword can clearly explain them. They are felt, they are conceived, but they are not to be explained;and yet these things constitute the elevated style, the grand ecole, which it is my ambition toestablish for the cornet, just as they already exist for singing and for the various kinds of otherinstruments.Those of my readers who are ambitious and who want to attain this high level ofperfection, should above all things, always try to hear good music well interpreted. Theymust seek out, among singers and instrumentalists, the most illustrious models, and by doingthis purify their taste, develop their sentiments, and bring themselves as near as possible tothat which is beautiful. Perhaps then the innate spark which may someday be destined todemonstrate their own talent, will reveal itself and render them worthy of being, in their turn,cited and imitated in the future.

SKU: KV.3612501

ISBN 9781848675919.

This a colourful recorder tutor which guides children from the very beginning, including how to hold a recorder properly. Key symbols are explained at the outset and repeated throughout to encourage and aid learning. Music notes are introduced slowly and clearly, enabling good technique and musical literacy.

There are plenty of short pieces with jazzy piano or CD accompaniments at all stages and many of them have funny words or actions. Rhythms are clapped out, musical terms and symbols explained simply and games help promote understanding, all of which make this new book comprehensive yet enjoyable, easy to follow and fun!

And the best news of all is that the teacher doesn't have to be a recorder player or a musician -- just one step ahead of the children!