String quartet

SKU: FG.55011-775-4

Composed by Alex Freeman. Classical, contemporary. Score & parts. Fennica Gehrman #55011-775-4. Published by Fennica Gehrman (FG.55011-775-4).

ISBN 9790550117754.

Alex Freeman found initial inspiration for his string quartet (2015) in a series of photographs a geologist friend showed him of en échelon veins in rock formations. The open strings punctuated with pizzicato unisons that begin the single-movement work call to mind something crystalline and shimmering, which is immediately infused with tumbling lyrical lines in something of a rapid caccia technique throughout. The middle of the work becomes more suspended in slower material loosely based on a technique of prolation canon, comprises layers of free, expressive, lyrical, and even elegiac music moving at different speeds. As the work concludes, the materials converge in a rhythmically pulsating stasis and an almost chorale-like statement.

Duration: c. 13'

This product includes the score and the parts (A4 sized).


American-Finnish composer Alex Freeman (b.1972) has established himself among the foremost composers of choral music in Finland. A dedicated citizen of his musical community, a teacher, and a choral singer himself, he composes music that reflects an appreciation for a wide range of aesthetics and a passion for communicating with listeners and performers. In his choral works, in particular, we find music that aims to be sonorous, melodic, and resonant, but is always crafted to carefully avoid the cliches that can burden conventional tonality.

His instrumental works run the gamut: a cantata with orchestra based on poetry of Whitman; a significant body of solo piano works that reveal deep roots in everything from austere absolute music to soaring elegaic rhetoric (see Albany Records, Inner Voice); his chamber work Blueshift (Navona Records), which is a kind of paean to Reich and Adams in miniature; open-ended modular works, like various iterations of his Slow All Clocks for electronic media, solo clarinet, and mixed choirs of kanteles; and, recently, some new directions in microtonal music.

Band Bass Clarinet, Bass Drum, Bassoon, Clarinet, Euphonium, Euphonium T.C., Flute, Flute 2, Horn, Mallet Percussion, Oboe, Percussion 1, Percussion 2, Snare Drum, Tambourine, Temple Blocks, Timpani, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Xylophone, alto Saxophone and more. - Grade 1

SKU: CF.BPS145

Composed by Richard Summers. Bps. Set of Score and Parts. 8+2+8+2+5+2+2+8+3+2+2+6+2+3+1+1+2+2+16 pages. Duration 2:15. Carl Fischer Music #BPS145. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.BPS145).

ISBN 9781491161258. UPC: 680160919840.

Dating back to the 13th century, the clock tower was located in the center of a town and used by townspeople to hear the time through bells and chimes ringing out. There are clock towers all over the world and they are wonderful landmarks to towns and communities. This work begins and ends with the Westminster Chimes theme, which is used by many clocks and clock towers, including Big Ben, the famous clock tower in London. Clock Tower contains many essential musical and technical skills for a beginning level band piece. The tick of the clock mechanism is imitated by pitched woodblocks, and the main theme is based on ascending and descending scale patterns, reinforcing note-reading ability for the beginning student. There are layers of new countermelodies and contrasting sections with dynamics and legato passages, giving the students an opportunity to play in different musical styles. There is a low brass and woodwind feature and a section introducing eighth notes to the upper winds. The sound between the woodwinds and the brass are also important, but many woodwind passages are cued in the brass in case a beginning band might need extra players to help with the balance and blend. This gives the director the opportunity to experiment with these cues and add a few other instruments when needed.
Dating back to the 13th century, the clock tower was located in the center of a town and used by townspeople to hear the time through bells and chimes ringing out. There are clock towers all over the world and they are wonderful landmarks to towns and communities. This work begins and ends with the Westminster Chimes theme, which is used by many clocks and clock towers, including Big Ben, the famous clock tower in London.  Clock Tower contains many essential musical and technical skills for a beginning level band piece. The tick of the clock mechanism is imitated by pitched woodblocks, and the main theme is based on ascending and descending scale patterns, reinforcing note-reading ability for the beginning student. There are layers of new countermelodies and contrasting sections with dynamics and legato passages, giving the students an opportunity to play in different musical styles. There is a low brass and woodwind feature and a section introducing eighth notes to the upper winds. The sound between the woodwinds and the brass are also important, but many woodwind passages are cued in the brass in case a beginning band might need extra players to help with the balance and blend. This gives the director the opportunity to experiment with these cues and add a few other instruments when needed. .