SKU: PR.11641861SP

UPC: 680160685202.

What?! - my composer colleagues said - A concerto for the piano? It's a 19th century instrument! Admittedly we are in an age when originally created timbres and/or musico-technological formulations are often the modus operandi of a piece. Actually, this Concerto began about two years ago when, during one of my creative jogs, the sound of the uppermost register of the piano mingled with wind chimes penetrated my inner ear. The challenge and fascination of exploring and developing this idea into an orchestral situation determined that some day soon I would be writing a work for piano and orchestra. So it was a very happy coincidence when Mona Golabek phoned to tell me she would like discuss the Ford Foundation commission. After covering areas of aesthetics and compositional styles, we found that we had a good working rapport, and she asked if I would accept the commission. The answer was obvious. Then began the intensive thought process on the stylistic essence and organization of the work. Along with this went a renewed study of idiomatic writing for the piano, of the kind Stravinsky undertook with the violin when he began his Violin Concerto. By a stroke of great fortune, the day in February 1972 that I received official notice from the Ford Foundation of the commission, I also received a letter from the Guggenheim Foundation informing me I had been awarded my second fellowship. With the good graces of Zubin Mehta and Ernest Fleischmann, masters of my destiny as a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, I was relieved of my orchestral duties during the Hollywood Bowl season. Thus I was able to go to Europe to work and to view the latest trends in music concentrating in London (the current musical melting pot and showcase par excellence), Oslo, Norway, for the Festival of Scandinavian Music called Nordic Days, and Warsaw, Poland, for its prestigious Autumn Festival. Over half the Concerto was completed in that summer and most of the rest during the 72-73 season with the final touches put on during a month as Resident Scholar at the Rockefeller Foundation's Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio, Italy. So much for the external and environmental influences, except perhaps to mention the birds of Sussex in the first movement, the bells of Arhus (Denmark) in the second movement and the bells of Bellagio at the end of the Concerto. Primary in the conception was the personality of Miss Golabek: she is a wonderfully vital and dynamic person and a real virtuoso. Therefore, the soloist in the Concerto is truly the protagonist; it is she (for once we can do away with the generic he) who unfolds the character and intent of the piece. The first section is constructed in the manner of a recitative - completely unmeasured - with letters and numbers by which the conductor signals the orchestra for its participation. This allows the soloist the freedom to interpret the patterns and control the flow and development of the music. The Concerto is actually in one continuous movement but with three large divisions of sufficiently contrasting character to be called movements in themselves. The first 'movement' is based on a few timbral elements: 1) a cluster of very low pitches which at the beginning are practically inaudibly depressed, and sustained silently by the sostenuto pedal, which causes sympathetic vibrating pitches to ring when strong notes are struck; 2) a single powerful note indicated by a black note-head with a line through it indicating the strongest possible sforzando; 3) short figures of various colors sometimes ominous, sometimes as splashes of light or as elements of transition; 4) trills and tremolos which are the actual controlling organic thread starting as single axial tremolos and gradually expanding to trills of increasingly larger and more powerful scope. The 'movement' begins in quiescent repose but unceasingly grows in energy and tension as the stretching of a string or rubber band. When it can no longer be restrained, it bursts into the next section. The second 'movement,' propelled by the released tension, is a brilliant virtuosic display, which begins with a long solo of wispy percussion, later joined in duet with the piano. Not to be ignored, the orchestra takes over shooting the material throughout all its sections like a small agile bird deftly maneuvering through nothing but air, while the piano counterposes moments of lyricism. The orchestra reaches a climax, thrusting us into the third 'movement' which begins with a cadenza-like section for the piano. This moves gently into an expressive section (expressive is not a negative term to me) in which duets are formed with various instruments. There are fleeting glimpses of remembrances past, as a fragmented recapitulation. One glimpse is hazily expressed by strings and percussion in a moment of simultaneous contrasting levels of activity, a technique of which I have been fond and have utilized in various fixed-free relationships, particularly in my Percussion Concerto, Contextures and Games: Collage No. 1. The second half of the third 'movement; is a large coda - akin to those in Beethoven - which brings about another display of virtuosity, this time gutsy and driving, raising the Concerto to a final climax, the soloist completing the fragmented recapitulation concept as well as the work with the single-note sforzando and low cluster from the very opening of the first movement.

SKU: HL.8748346

UPC: 884088219710. 5x5 inches.

This product for the smaller-sized church choir consists of six accessible anthems with special attention to voice leading, the use of limited ranges, and carefully crafted piano accompaniments. New issues will be released three times per year. Enrollment option available. Titles included in this issue: God Bless the U.S.A. (with America, the Beautiful), Jesus Paid It All, Highway to Heaven, There Is None Like You (with I Love You Lord), In Remembrance of Me, Fairest Lord Jesus. Available separately: Choral Book, ChoirTrax CD, Kit (10 Choral Books, 1 ChoirTrax CD, 1 Preview CD), Choral Book 10-Pak, Preview CD, Preview CD 10-Pak, Preview Pak (1 Choral Book, 1 Preview CD).

SKU: HL.4008699

SKU: CF.CPS265F

ISBN 9781491161753. UPC: 680160920440.

Remembrance was written in November 2018. In remembrance of what it took for us to be here... was the only original program note. The piece can mean different things to different people; however, it brings unity to all under the theme of remembrance. We fight for many things: love, patriotism, freedom, ideology, possession...all of which have cost tremendous sacrifice. It was the battles, the blood and sweat, and the sacrifice of those that came before us that created the world as we know it. Remembrance is a tender, melancholic reflection that silently gives thanks to every step and every sacrifice that was made to bring us what we have today. Yes, what we have may not be perfect--nor is it anywhere near complete--but with each generation's responsibility to carry the torch and never forget, hopefully we can make everything worth it. Performance Notes This tender piece is an excellent opportunity to explore nuanced phrasing. While many sections may play similar parts, often the phrasing and dynamics are marked differently across the band. Each of these discrepancies should be brought out and add to the perpetual motion of the piece. Encourage confident, yet subtle entrances and furthermore, think about the ends of notes as important as the beginning. Really bring out the hairpins in sections such as m. 29, m. 67, and m. 81 as expressive devices. Despite the piece's major key, through the various levels of dissonance and tension, both the ensemble and the audience should feel the sacrifices and tragedy that this piece celebrates. The tempo should not be much slower than the marked tempos and with the careful observation of the various tempo changes, there should be a constant momentum pushing throughout the piece, all the way past the end that leaves the audience in thought with an uplifting, pensive, and gentle clarinet chord.
Remembrance was written in November 2018. “In remembrance of what it took for us to be here...” was the only original program note. The piece can mean different things to different people; however, it brings unity to all under the theme of remembrance.We fight for many things: love, patriotism, freedom, ideology, possession...all of which have cost tremendous sacrifice. It was the battles, the blood and sweat, and the sacrifice of those that came before us that created the world as we know it. Remembrance is a tender, melancholic reflection that silently gives thanks to every step and every sacrifice that was made to bring us what we have today. Yes, what we have may not be perfect—nor is it anywhere near complete—but with each generation’s responsibility to carry the torch and never forget, hopefully we can make everything worth it.Performance NotesThis tender piece is an excellent opportunity to explore nuanced phrasing. While many sections may play similar parts, often the phrasing and dynamics are marked differently across the band. Each of these discrepancies should be brought out and add to the perpetual motion of the piece. Encourage confident, yet subtle entrances and furthermore, think about the ends of notes as important as the beginning. Really bring out the hairpins in sections such as m. 29, m. 67, and m. 81 as expressive devices. Despite the piece’s major key, through the various levels of dissonance and tension, both the ensemble and the audience should feel the sacrifices and tragedy that this piece celebrates.The tempo should not be much slower than the marked tempos and with the careful observation of the various tempo changes, there should be a constant momentum pushing throughout the piece, all the way past the end that leaves the audience in thought with an uplifting, pensive, and gentle clarinet chord.

SKU: OU.9780193390911

ISBN 9780193390911. 10 x 7 inches.

For SAATTB unaccompanied Setting a heart-breaking wartime text by Wilfrid Wilson Gibson, Pott has created a beautifully poignant piece befitting any Remembrance occasion. Written in memory of Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, a bomb disposal expert killed in 2009 during the Afghanistan conflict, Lament embodies a sense of timeless commemoration.

About Oxford New Horizons

New Horizons showcases the wealth of exciting, innovative, and occasionally challenging choral music being written today. It encompasses the whole gamut of small-scale choral genres, both secular and sacred, and includes pieces for upper-voice and mixed choirs. With titles by some of the most accomplished choral composers active in Great Britain and abroad, the series introduces new repertoire and fresh talent to a broad spectrum of choirs. New Horizons features composers with growing reputations for quality composition reflecting a strong individual voice. The series is continually expanding and should be the first place to look for attractive and performable contemporary choral music.

SKU: BT.DHP-1135396-120

9x12 inches. English-Dutch.

This musical fantasy depicts the history of the Dutch fortified town of Elburg. The work begins with an atmospheric medieval picture of the Convent of St Agnes, the nunnery that was built in the first half of the 15th century. We hear the sound of the convent bells together with an upward motif, which will reappear later in the work. Next, the rest of Elburg is featured, including the fortress - from which the bells of the Sint-Nicolaaskerk (Saint Nicholas Church) are ringing. Then, cheerful sounds can be heard at the Vischpoort (Fish Gate), where a dancing group is performing a 16th century French folk dance (a branle des chevaux). We also hear old wagons rumbling over the town’scobble stones. Trade made this Hanseatic town a lively place. The repetitive upward motif first heard in the introduction now develops into a more distinct feature, reflecting the mercantile spirit of the town residents.Then follows the slow middle movement, in which the clock has been turned back to the time when Elburg was still lying on the Zuiderzee (which was a bay of the North Sea), and was struggling with floods. After the second St. Marcellus Flood (1362) and the water flood of 1367 it was decided that the town would be relocated. We now hear the theme of branle des chevaux in a minor key, followed by a death bell sounding in remembrance of the drowned citizens of the former town. Back in our own time, a slow, expressive theme in Baroque style mirrors Elburg’s tranquil places, such as the Feithenhof (Feithen Court) and the Weduwenhofje (Widow Court). Then the bustle returns with motifs from the introduction, followed by an attractive theme in which present-day Elburg is portrayed with its many tourists. Now, suddenly, there is an echo from the past, depicting the dramatic floods and wars that once plagued the town. This leads to the grand closing theme: branle des chevaux is heard for a final time from the perspective of the historic town centre.

Deze muzikale fantasie vertelt de geschiedenis van de Nederlandse vestingstad Elburg. Het werk begint met een middeleeuws sfeerbeeld vanuit het Agnietenklooster, het nonnenklooster dat in de eerste helft van de 15e eeuw werd gebouwd. We horen de kloosterklok samen met een opwaarts motief, dat ook later in het werk terugkomt. Vervolgens komt de rest van Elburg aan bod, inclusief de vesting - van waaruit de klokken van de Grote of Sint-Nicolaaskerk weergalmen. Dan klinken bij de Vischpoort de vrolijke geluiden van een dansgroep die daar een 16e-eeuwse Franse volksdans (branle des chevaux) uitvoert. Ook horen we oude karren over de kinderkopjes van de stad denderen. Dehandel maakt deze Hanzestad tot een levendige plaats. Het zich steeds herhalende opwaartse motief uit de inleiding krijgt hier een nadrukkelijker karakter en verbeeldt de handelsgeest van de stedelingen.Dan volgt het langzame middendeel, waarin de klok wordt teruggedraaid naar de tijd dat Elburg nog direct aan de Zuiderzee lag en te kampen had met overstromingen. Na de tweede Sint-Marcellusvloed (1362) en de watervloed van 1367 werd besloten dat de stad verplaatst zou worden. We horen het thema van de branle des chevaux in mineur, gevolgd door een doodsklok, die de verdronken inwoners van de voormalige stad herdenkt. Terug in onze eigen tijd verklankt een langzaam, expressief thema in barokke stijl de verstilde plekken in de stad, zoals het Feithenhof en het Weduwenhofje. Dan keert de levendigheid terug met motieven uit de inleiding, gevolgd door een aansprekend thema waarin het Elburg van nu met zijn vele toeristen doorklinkt. Plotseling is er dan nog even een echo uit het verleden: de dramatiek van de overstromingen en oorlogen die de stad ooit teisterden. Hieruit vloeit het grootse slotthema voort: de branle des chevaux is voor de laatste keer te horen vanuit het perspectief van de historische binnenstad.

SKU: KJ.SO197F

Written for strings and piano, this beautiful ballad-type composition honors those men, women and children affected by that infamous day: September 11, 2001. Winning the MENC 2002 National Young Composers Award with this composition, Sarah Elizabeth Gibson said, Music has always been something that has soothed my soul when have been upset or hurt. This is what brought me to writing this piece so maybe it could help somebody else along the way.