SKU: MH.0-931329-53-1

ISBN 9780931329531.

Journey back to ancient Greece and view a place of long-gone legend. Follow the trail to the Kingdom of Ithaca, from the heroic palace, to a place of tranquility, to a reckless dance of abandon, to the return of Odysseus. The melodic material used in 200 B.C. is from a two thousand year old Greek hymn to Apollo. The legendary adventures of Odysseus as described by Homer in the Odyssey (ca. 700 B.C.) provide the programmatic material. The music is freely based upon the First Delphic Hymn (or Paen to Apollo), composed ca. 200 B.C. The source is a transcription appearing on pages 363 - 367 of Ancient and Oriental Music, Edited by Egon Wellesz (Oxford University Press: London, 1957). Each movement of the work depicts a key event in the epic Homeric poem, as described below. Movement I: Intrada - The first four notes of this movement, C - Bb - G - Bb, are the melodic and harmonic foundation for the entire work. These pitches, introduced in a simple and direct manner, are subsequently developed in more complex fashions throughout the suite. Following this stately introduction is a militaristic fanfare that introduces the dotted-eighth and sixteenth-note figure later reprised in the second and fourth movements. Indeed, all the musical ideas which will be central to the remaining movements first appear in the Intrada. This movement depicts the grandeur of Odysseus and his kingdom in Ithaca, and establishes the heroic mood of the entire work. Movement II: Ballad - After a brief restatement of the opening dotted-eighth-and-sixteenth fanfare, the second movement extracts the falling third (Bb to G) from the C - Bb - G - Bb motif and extends it and expands it into a haunting solo for alto saxophone. The C - Bb - G - Bb motif appears again (see measures 23 - 33 in trumpets) as counterpoint to this melody, now pulsing through the thick texture of the band. Many performers have come to view the Ballad as the emotional epicenter of the entire suite; my conception of the Ballad is to achieve a union of pathos and strength. Programmatically, this movement depicts Odysseus's son, Telemachos, as he both longs for Odysseus's return and stoically defends his father's kingdom. Movement III: Dance - It will take Odysseus twenty years to return to Ithaca. During his absence, noblemen besiege his palace, violating the sanctity of the household and seeking the hand of his wife, Penelope. This movement depicts the wanton revelries that result. The original four-note motif is chromatically altered and the meter is made irregular. The rapid tempo, driving percussion, and angular meter and melodies combine in an explosion of reckless abandon. Movement IV: March Building from a delicate woodwind ensemble accompanied by finger cymbals to a fully orchestrated statement replete with thundering percussion, this is a resounding march of victory. Odysseus has returned in triumph to restore dignity to his household and to reclaim the throne of the Kingdom of Ithaca. Ensemble instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 8 Flute 1 - 2, 2 Oboe 1 - 2, 4 Bb Clarinet 1, 4 Bb Clarinet 2, 4 Bb Clarinet 3, 1 Eb Alto Clarinet, 3 Bb Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoon 1 - 2, 3 Eb Alto Saxophone 1, 3 Eb Alto Saxophone 2, 2 Bb Tenor Saxophone, 1 Eb Baritone Saxophone, 3 Bb Trumpet 1, 3 Bb Trumpet 2, 3 Bb Trumpet 3, 2 F Horn 1-2, 2 F Horn 3-4, 2 Trombone 1, 2 Trombone 2, 2 Trombone 3, 3 Euphonium (B.C.), 2 Euphonium T.C., 4 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 2 Mallet Percussion: Bells, Xylophone, 2 Percussion 1: Snare Drum, Tambourine, 2 Percussion 2: Crash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal, Tom-Tom, Finger Cymbals, 1 Percussion 3: Bass Drum.

SKU: CL.014-0114-01

Note: This is a reprint from a vintage publication of 1934. If a C Piccolo/C Flute part was not published originally, one has been subsequently added by our editorial staff.

SKU: HL.48187342

ISBN 9781785586873. UPC: 888680845575. 9x12 inches.

“Jacques Ibert (1890-1962) studied at the Paris Conservatoire before embarking upon a successful composing career. The composer wrote for a variety of instrumentations and his works remain popular to this day, Two Oriented Steles for Voice and Flute being no exception. Composed in 1926, Two Oriented Steles for Voice and Flute is based on the poem of the same name by Victor Segalen. Ibert was a unique composer who did not associate himself with any particular style. His music is generally lighthearted, often reflecting the composer's wit and humour. The two movements are 'My lover has the virtues of Water' and 'I am told'. Containing a variety of musical aspects and techniques, Ibert's Two Oriented Steles is an exciting addition to the advanced, unusual ensemble of Flute and Voice.&rdquo.

SKU: ST.C320

ISBN 9790570813209.

Composer’s Note:

I composed The Planets to be performed during my tenure as Composer in Residence at Chetham’s International Piano Summer School, Manchester, in August 2018. Drawing inspiration from Holst’s Suite of the same name – a work of unstoppable importance – my composition nevertheless contrasts conspicuously, both in its overall scheme (nine movements instead of seven) and orientation (my work takes the Sun as its point of orientation, whereas Holst places the Earth at the centre point and hence leaves it out of the musical scheme). There is, as a consequence, a sense of increasing serenity to my music following the effervescence of Jupiter, though there are reverberations of earlier themes and moods in the concluding movement, Pluto, which nevertheless ends enigmatically as befits its distant, ‘cold’ designation. Pluto was left out of Holst’s work for good reason – it had yet to be discovered – though Colin Matthews redressed the situation admirably in 2000. Whether one chooses to go along with Pluto’s unresolved status, or indeed to promote it to the position of ‘full’ planet (amusingly, Pluto became demoted to dwarf- planet in 1992) is perhaps less important than its potential to evince a musical spirit entirely to itself.

Performance Note:

Movements may be performed separately as desired, though the connections between musical characters will of course be lost in doing so. In Neptune and Pluto (which are best performed attacca) I include infrequent use of a bell, pitched at B4. This denotes the intangibility of time; it adds a welcome new colour, as well as an additional element for the audience to ponder on. A standard hotel receptionist’s bell was used in the inaugural performance – surprisingly resonant, even in a sizeable auditorium – though if this is unavailable the cellist can play the same note (or harmonic, if preferred).

World Premiere given at Stoller Hall, Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester, August 2018: Gillian Poznansky (flute), Sebastian Poznansky (cello) and Mark Tanner (piano).

Duration: 30 minutes
Grade 8(+)
Former Spartan Press Cat. No.: SP1419.

SKU: AP.45389

UPC: 038081511290. English. Traditional Carols.

This majestic mash-up of Masters in This Hall and We Three Kings of Orient Are includes a joyful new text and optional parts for flute and hand drum. A lively 6/8 tempo and a buoyant minor tonality create a festive feel.

About Alfred Choral Designs

The Alfred Choral Designs Series provides student and adult choirs with a variety of secular choral music that is useful, practical, educationally appropriate, and a pleasure to sing. To that end, the Choral Designs series features original works, folk song settings, spiritual arrangements, choral masterworks, and holiday selections suitable for use in concerts, festivals, and contests.

SKU: CF.YPS186F

ISBN 9781491148082. UPC: 680160905584. 9 x 12 inches.

Journey of the Magi is a fantastical piece based on the well-known Christmas carol We Three Kings of Orient Are. After an introduction reflecting the nobility and Eastern origins of the travelers, there are three contrasting settings of the carol's verse and two of the chorus. The royal caravan then fades in to the distance as the three Kings continue their journey and search.

SKU: PR.114412060

UPC: 680160017508.

The work's main orientation is an exploration of instrumental color. In particular, the alto flute and cello often act as timbral extensions of the harp, which in turn, initiates much of the work's motivic material. As a consequence of the developmental process, there results a penultimate coalescence of harmonic and thematic elements, leading to a modified recapitulation of the opening material. The title suggests the image of a serene cloud amid a continually changing sky.

SKU: AP.1-ADV40003

UPC: 805095400038. English.

A three-movement piece which combines orchestral vocabulary with a variety of groove oriented music such as Latin, jazz, and American folk music. It can be performed either with any size string orchestra and winds, or with a string sextet (2 violins, 2 violas, cello, and bass), and woodwind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, and bassoon). The first two movements, allegro moderato and lento, showcase the lyrical side of the saxophone. The third movement, allegro molto, involves a good deal of virtuosity and requires improvisational skills over modal chords.