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: HL.14002654

8.25x11.75x0.185 inches.

Arthur Bliss was born in London on 2 August 1891. For over 50 years he was a familiar and central figure on the English musical scene. He was educated at Rugby and at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he studied with Charles Wood. He attended the Royal College of Music for a single term before the First World War broke out and interrupted his studies for the duration.

SKU: HL.48188488

UPC: 888680866952. 8.5x11.75x0.543 inches.

“Composed in 1978 by Henri Dutilleux, Timbres, Space, Movement is a work for Orchestra, also named ?The starry night? after a painting by Van Gogh. It was commisioned by Mstislav Rostropovich for the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington and is dedicated to Charles Münch. This great orchestral work lasts approximately 20 minutes and depicts the content of the painting. It is written for a full orchestra without Violins or Violas. A sketch of the placement of the instruments is given in the book as its disposition differs from a full orchestra: The Cellos placed in a half-circle in front of the conductor. The Cellos represents the space with twirling solos and more stagnant sections while the lack of Violins and Violas is for the quiet and motionless part of the painting. The solo of the Winds and Drums characterizes the clouds and the light of the moon and the stars. It is divided in two parts: 1. Nébuleuse (Nebula) and 2.Constellations, which are divided by a Cello interlude. Henri Dutilleux was internationally acclaimed for his work winning prizes such as the Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society and the UNESCO's International Rostrum of Composers, amongst many others. His work also includes a Piano sonata, two symphonies, the Violin concerto 'L'arbre des songes' (The tree of dreams) and the Cello concerto 'Tout un monde lointain' (A whole distant word).”.