SKU: BT.AMP-319-140

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dutch.

The special occasion that Philip Sparke was honoured to write this piece for was the 200th anniversary of the Stadtmusik Bad Säckingen. Since Bad Säckingen is known as the ’Trompeterstadt’, or trumpeter city, Sparke’s creative process was influenced by Joseph Victor Scheffel’s poem, Der Trompeter von Säckingen (The Trumpeter from Säckingen), which is based on a true story. The overture starts with a majestic fanfare, followed by a lively molto vivace. It is joined by a brilliant trumpet call in honour of the city’s famous resident.

Overture for a Special Occasion is geschreven in opdracht van Stadtmusik Bad Säckingen ter gelegenheid van het tweehonderdjarig bestaan van het orkest, in 2011. De première van het werk vond plaats in januari van dat jaar,onder leiding van Johannes Brenke, de dirigent van het orkest. Stadtmusik Bad Säckingen, uit de gelijknamige plaats in het zuidwesten van Duitsland, werd opgericht in 1811 en is daarmee een van de oudste blaasorkesten in de regio.Het stadje Bad Säckingen (Bad betekent badplaats) staat bekend als ‘Trompeterstadt’ en kan bogen op een trompetmuseum, dat in 1985 de deuren opende. Voormalig directeur van het museum was de bekende Amerikaanse trompettist en musicoloogEdward H. Tarr. De huidige directeur is Johannes Brenke, tevens de dirigent van het orkest. De nauwe band die het stadje heeft met de trompet dateert van halverwege de 19e eeuw, toen de schilder en schrijver Joseph Victorvon Scheffel het populaire epische gedicht Der Trompeter von Säckingen schreef. Het was gebaseerd op een waar verhaal en het gaf de naam van de plaats bekendheid over de hele wereld. Op het plein voor de kloosterkerk staateen standbeeld van Scheffel en zijn trompetspeler. Overture for a Special Occasion is feestelijk van sfeer. Het werk opent met een plechtige fanfare, die de luisteraar meevoert naar een vreugdevol molto vivace. Als verbindingtussen beide gedeelten dient een enigmatisch trompetgeschal: een eerbetoon aan de beroemdste inwoner van het stadje.

Der spezielle Anlass“, zu dem Philip Sparke die Ehre hatte, dieses Stück zu schreiben, war das 200-jährige Jubiläum der Stadtmusik Bad Säckingen. Da Bad Säckingen weithin als die Trompeterstadt“ bekannt ist, knüpfte Sparke an das berühmte Gedicht Der Trompeter von Säckingen von Joseph Victor Scheffel an, das auf eine wahre Geschichte zurückgeht. Die Ouvertüre beginnt mit einer majestätischen Fanfare, welche zu einem festlichen Molto vivace führt. Dazu gesellt sich dann ein strahlendes Trompetensignal zu Ehren des berühmtesten Sohnes der Stadt.

Overture for a Special Occasion est une commande de l’Orchestre d’Harmonie Stadtmusik Bad Säckingen pour la commémoration de son bicentenaire, en 2011. De caractère festif, Overture for a Special Occasion débute avec une fanfare grandiose. Puis se développe un énigmatique appel de trompette, qui rend hommage au plus célèbre habitant de la ville. Un molto vivace d’une texture joyeuse et colorée apporte un pétillant finale cette ouverture écrite pour une occasion spéciale !

Overture for a Special Occasion wè un brano commissionato dal Corpo Bandistico della Citt di Bad Säckingen in Germania nel 2011 in occasione del suo bicentenario. Nota per le sue terme, questa ridente cittadina tedesca ha anche un secondo nome: “Trompeterstadt” (citt del “trombettista”). La stretta associazione della citt alla tromba risale al XIX secolo quando uno dei suoi illustri abitanti, Joseph Victor von Scheffel, scrittore e romanziere, scrisse un poema divenuto molto popolare, Il trombettista di Säckingen. Di carattere festivo, questo brano inizia con una grandiosa fanfara, seguita da un brillante richiamo di tromba. Un molto vivace gioioso e coloritoregala a questa ouverture uno spumeggiante finale, tutto nel segno di una ricorrenza molto speciale!

SKU: CN.R10004

A slow introduction gives way to the chirpy theme which is developed, inverted, and accents displaced across the bar line to give a 3/2 feel against the written meter. Restlessness leads to a tranquillo presented by the flute and clarinet, weaving a flowing counterpoint around the melody until the original slow introduction returns. A triumphant recapitulation of the main theme brings this wonderful piece to an end.

Originally composed for Brass Band in 1934 Comedy Overture is, despite its name, a serious piece of writing. The term Overture does not imply that there is anything else to follow; it is used in the 19th century sense of Concert Overture (like Mendelssohn's Fingal's Cave - in other words, a miniature Tone Poem). The 1930's was a period of Ireland's mature writing - yielding the Piano Concerto (1930), the Legend for piano and orchestra (1933), and the choral work These Things Shall Be (1936-1937). We are fortunate therefore to have both Comedy Overture and A Downland Suite (1932) written for band medium at this time. As with Maritime Overture (written in 1944 for military band) Ireland approaches his material symphonically. The opening three notes state immediately the two seminal intervals of a semitone and a third. These are brooding and dark in Bb minor. It is these intervals which make up much of the thematic content of Comedy, sometimes appearing in inverted form, and sometimes in major forms as well. The concept that some musical intervals are consonant , some dissonant, and some perfect is perhaps useful in understanding the nature of the tension and resolution of this work. The third is inherently unstable, and by bar 4, the interval is expanded to a fourth - with an ascending sem-quaver triplet - and then expanded to a fifth. The instability of the third pushes it towards a perfect resolution in the fourth or the fifth. The slow introduction is built entirely around these intervals in Bb minor and leads through an oboe cadenza, to an Allegro moderato brillante in Bb major. Once again, the semi-tone (inverted) and a third (major) comprise the main, chirpy, theme-inspired by a London bus-conductor's cry of Piccadilly. (Much of the material in Comedy was re-conceived by Ireland for orchestra and published two years later under the title A London Overture.) The expansion of the interval of a third through a fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh now takes place quickly before our very ears at the outset of this quicker section. Immediately the theme is developed, inverted, and accents displaced across the bar line to give a 3/2 feel against the written meter. But this restlessness leads to a tranquillo built around an arpeggio figure and presented by flute and clarinet. Ireland weaves his flowing counterpoint around this melody until the original slow introduction returns leading to a stretto effect as the rising bass motifs become more urgent, requesting a resolution of the tension of that original semitone and minor third. Yet resolution is withheld at this point as the music becomes almost becalmed in a further, unrelated tranquillo section marked pianissimo. It is almost as if another side of Ireland's nature is briefly allowed to shine through the stern counterpoint and disciplined structure. This leads to virtually a full recapitulation of the chirpy brilliante, with small additional touches of counterpoint, followed by the first tranquillo section-this time in the tonic of Bb major. But the instability of the third re-asserts itself, this time demanding a resolution. And a triumphant resolution it receives, for it finally becomes fully fledged and reiterates the octave in a closing vivace. The opening tension has at last resolved itself into the most perfect interval of all.

SKU: P2.80156

The Overture to Rossini's Barber of Seville is still considered to this day as one of the most loved and best recognized classical works in the world. This music has been included in many forms of media, including movies, commercials, and of course, cartoons. I wanted to use this well-known music in such a way that it could become a soloist piece with the tuba ensemble in the orchestral role. The provided cadenza is there only as a guideline to what the soloist can really strive for.

This arrangement received its premiere at the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference in Feb. 2013. It was requested and performed by the Oldham County High School Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble under the direction of Brad Rogers and Chris Schmidt. The tuba soloist for the performance was Chris Combest.

parts included: Solo Euphonium, Solo Tuba, Euphonium 1, 2, 3, 4 TC/BC, Tuba 1, 2, 3, 4.

SKU: BR.MR-32069

ISBN 9790004489499. 9 x 12 inches.

Johannes Brahms wrote the Academic Festival Overture op. 80 in Bad Ischl in the summer of 1880 as a token of thanks for the honorary doctorate that had been bestowed upon him the previous year by the University of Breslau. In keeping with the event, the work contains various folkloric and student songs which Brahms borrowed from the well-known Commers-Buch fur den deutschen Studenten, a book containing material for the annual students' social gatherings. The overture's first performance was held in Breslau on 4 January 1881 under the direction of the composer. The present arrangement for string quartet by Christian Beyer compliments the already available overtures by Mozart, which Beyer also arranged for this instrumentation.

SKU: BT.DHP-1053750-140

English-German-French-Dutch.

This piece is dedicated to all the citizens who live, have lived, and will live in the US town of Algona, who commissioned the work to celebrate itâ??s 150th anniversary. With dark-tinted tones (low drums, heavy brass), this overture begins with a primitive sacred feel, it seems as if centuries-old Indian singing is heard once more. Gradually the sound becomes clearer and brighter as the same theme travels throughout the band in various guises and variants. Imposing tutti passages then give the band the chance to lavishly shine. This bright and catchy overture radiates spontaneous energy and as it features every section of the band all the players as well as the listenersare continually surprised and captivated.

Met donkere tonen begint deze ouverture sacraal en bezwerend: het lijkt of eeuwenoude indianengezangen weer tot klinken komen. Geleidelijk wordt het klankbeeld helderder: hetzelfde thema maakt in diverse varianten als het ware eenronde door het orkest. Met een paar imposante tuttipassages kan het orkest goed uitpakken. Nadien komt een energiek allegro met een krachtige thematiek naar voren, gevolgd door een lyrisch gegeven. Deze ingrediënten wisselen elkaaraf op weg naar een opwindende finale. Het klankidioom is zeer toegankelijk en alle geledingen van het orkest komen aan bod!

Anlässlich der 150-Jahrfeier der Stadt Algona im US-Staat Iowa komponiert, strahlt diese klare, eingängige Ouvertüre spontane Energie aus. Zwar beginnt das Werk sakral und flehend mit dunkel gefärbten Tönen, doch allmählich wird der Klang klarer und heller, während das Thema in verschiedenen Gewändern und Varianten durch das Blasorchester wandert. Dem folgenden energischen Allegro folgt ein lyrisches Thema, und beide Elemente verschmelzen schlie�lich in einem aufregenden Finale. Alle Register des Blasorchesters werden hier beleuchtet, sodass sowohl Spieler als auch Zuhörer fortwährend überrascht und bezaubert werden.

Algona Overture sâ??ouvre dans un univers sonore aux couleurs sombres. La musique revêt une dimension sacrée, un esprit de supplication. Un chant indien vieux de plusieurs siècles résonne comme un chant oublié. Dâ??imposants passages tutti dévoilent les somptueuses facettes de lâ??Orchestre dâ??Harmonie. Lâ??idiome sonore est simple et accessible. Algona Overture est une composition lumineuse et fascinante qui respire lâ??enthousiasme et la spontanéité. Dans la mesure où lâ??écriture orchestrale privilégie tous les pupitres, la musique réussit surprendre et captiver sans cesse le public et les interprètes.

Questo brano è dedicato a tutti i cittadini che vivono, che hanno vissuto, e che vivranno nella cittadina americana di Algona, che ha commissionato questo brano per festeggiare il suo 150. anniversario. Algona Overture inizia in un universo sonoro dai colori scuri. La musica rivela una dimensione sacra, uno spirito di supplica. Un canto indiano datato di alcuni secoli risuona come un canto dimenticato. Imponenti passaggi affidati al tutti svelano le sontuose sfacettature dellâ??orchestra di fiati. Algona Overture è una composizione coinvolgente che trasmette entusiasmo e spontaneit . In un brano dove la scrittura orchestrale privilegia tutte le sezioni dellâ??organico, la musicariesce a sorprendere e accattivarsi il pubblico e gli interpreti.

SKU: P2.80085

Alongside Guillaume Tell (William Tell) and Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville), La Gazza Ladra has proved over its almost 200 year existence to be one of Rossini's most enduringly popular operas. The overture particularly has become an orchestral favorite in its own right, and this virtuosic arrangement has now brought it within the grasp of the most ambitious tuba-euphonium quartets looking for a real concert-ending flourish. This arrangement was commissioned for and first performed (with equally virtuosic choreography!) at the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference 2010 in Tucson, Arizona.

SKU: HL.4493130

UPC: 196288205654. 9.0x12.0 inches.

Charles Laux's exquisite arrangement of Mozart's “Ascanio in Alba” overture shines in this stunning string orchestra version. Experience the timeless beauty and elegance of Mozart's masterpiece reimagined with Laux's masterful touch. This arrangement captures the brilliance and vitality of the original while showcasing the expressive range of the string ensemble. A must-have for any classical music lover!

SKU: BR.ED-10296

ISBN 9790220101977. 7.5 x 11 inches.

The Ode was admirably set by Mr. Henry Purcell, and performed twice with universal applause.
(The Gentlemen's Journal, 1692)

The popularity of Purcell's setting is apparent from the many sources that survive and from the printed extracts which appeared almost immediately after its first performance. The primary source for this edition is the largely autograph manuscript in the Bodleian Library. Rather to reduce the orthography to a norm, the capitalization of the vocal text favours Purcell's preferences.
(Christopher Hogwood) Vokalensemble Stuttgart und den Kammerchor des Kopernikus-Gymnasiums Wasseralfingen. Fur diese beiden ganz unterschiedlichen Chorformationen hat Martin Smolka 2012 auch gezielt seine Partitur angelegt. Biografisch ist das Agnus Dei eine Art kleines Requiem fur seinen kurz zuvor verstorbenen Vater. Das liturgische Agnus Dei rahmt den deutschen Text Eh das Madchen entschlief ... der bei Auffuhrungen in anderen Landern durch eine Ubersetzung ersetzt werden soll.

Der SWR-Redakteur Hans-Peter Jahn schreibt dazu im Programmheft: Die fur Smolka typischen minimalistischen Taktzellen schaffen eine archaische Sinnlichkeit. Eine einfache und zugleich streng gebaute Vokalmusik mit Tiefenwirkung.

Nach der Urauffuhrung war die Esslinger Zeitung hellauf begeistert: Smolka ist ein Meister der Stimmbehandlung und der chorischen Klanggestaltung. Im Zentrum des Stucks gerat die Musik zum Stillstand: im leisen gleichmassigen Summen uber dem plotzlich fortissimo ein tschechisches Kinderlied erklingt eines das der Vater seinen Kindern haufig vorgesungen hat. Das alles war sehr beruhrend. Und eigentlich noch mehr als das. My father PhDr. Jaroslav Smolka (1933-2011) was a leading Czech musicologist author of books Czech Cantata and Oratorium Fuga in Czech Music Smetana's Orchestra Music Smetana's Vocal Music monography of Jan Dismas Zelenka and many others. He was a legendary teacher of Music History at Prague Music Academy critic recording producer composer; for almost 50 years he was an important and highly respected personality of Prague musical life.
My father devoted a lot of time and energy to musical education and activities of my sister and me using often quite original methods such as teaching of intervals and counterpoint through Bartok's Microcosmos ear training filling all imaginable moments of everyday life or lessons of harmony analysis starting with Overture to Tristan and Musorgsky's Catacombs. The Martinu song Wondering Maiden was his solo number in our home vocal productions which he used to sing with amazing devotion while his huge voice was audible in several neighboring streets.
My Agnus Dei is closely bound to all this history e.g. by using canon and preferring beauty of dissonant seconds like Bartok or quoting Martinu and his refined neoclassical harmony. Father would be probably a bit critical about the minimalistic monotony of the main body of the piece. Nevertheless firstly he would improvise a short lecture of history of Agnus Dei in Requiem in Czech Music naming by heart many dates and all examples of changes of order of the traditional text by composers. Examples would be sung probably.
(Martin Smolka).

SKU: FH.VA7

ISBN 978-1-55440-569-5.

This groundbreaking series for viola offers a sound and progressive collection of Repertoire, Recordings, Etudes, Technique, and Orchestral Excerpts for the aspiring virtuoso. Representing all major style periods and a variety of genres, Viola Series, 2013 Edition offers all the music and tools needed to support a comprehensive course of study from the beginner to advanced levels. A rich and varied selection of music in each of these nine progressive volumes of repertoire appeals to violists of all ages. From the Preparatory Level through Level 8, students will be exposed to quality selections originally written for viola, fun arrangements of traditional fiddle and folk tunes, as well as contemporary pieces by notable composers such as Violet Archer, Carey Cheney, and Fritz Kriesler.
Level 7:
Holberg Suite, op. 40: I,V - Grieg, Edvard
Symphony No. 5, op. 67: II - Beethoven, Ludwig van
Symphony No. 4 (Italian), op. 90: II - Mendelssohn, Felix
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, BWV 1048: I - Bach, Johann Sebastian
Symphony No. 35 (Haffner), K 385: I - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Level 8:
Ruslan and Ludmilla: Overture - Glinka, Mikhail
Symphony No. 35 (Haffner), K 385: IV - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Symphony No. 6 (Pathetique), op. 75: I - Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Il'yich
Symphony No. 9, op. 125: IV - Beethoven, Ludwig van
Symphony No. 3 (Eroica), op. 55: IV - Beethoven, Ludwig van
Symphony No. 1, op. 68: I - Brahms, Johannes
Symphony No. 9 (New World), op. 95: IV - Dvorak, Antonin
Level 9:
Symphony No. 5, op. 67: III - Beethoven, Ludwig van
Die Zauberfloete, K 620: Overture - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
The Hebrides, op. 26: Overture - Mendelssohn, Felix
Variations on a Theme by Haydn, op. 56a - Brahms, Johannes
Le carnaval romain - Berlioz, Hector
Symphony No. 8, op. 88: I - Dvorak, Antonin
Symphony NO. 4 (Romantic): II - Bruckner, Anton
Level 10:
Symphony No. 4 (Italian), op. 90: I,IV - Mendelssohn, Felix
Symphony No. 4, op. 98: II,IV - Brahms, Johannes
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, op. 46: I - Grieg, Edvard
Concerto for Orchestra: IV,V - Bartok, Bela
Symphony No. 40, K 550: I,IV - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Serenade for Strings, op. 48: I,II - Tchaikovsly, Pyotr Il'yich
Symphony No. 5, op. 47: I - Shostakovich, Dmitri
Associate:
Group 1: Ochestral Tutti Parts (Viola):
Daphnis et Chloe: III - Ravel, Maurice
Don Juan, op. 20 - Strauss, Richard
Symphony No. 9, op. 125: II,IV - Beethoven, Ludwig van
Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night's Dream, op. 61: Scherzo - Mendelssohn, Felix
The Bartered Bride: Overture - Smetana, Bed_ich
Group 2: Viola Solos:
Don Quixote, op. 35 - Strauss, Richard
Harold en Italie: I - Berlioz, Hector.