William is a small boy. His great friend is Ponder a pyjama-case with a gift for making up songs about the day's happenings. Some of the songs are light hearted and amusing; in others Ponder reveals a distinct vein of Poetry and an inclination to ruminate. These ten songs have pretty melodies and simple lyrics and have been set for Unison Voices and Piano. A terrific collection for children by Barbara Softly with music by Betty Roe.

for piano quartet. Par DAVIES PETER MAXWELL. The two nocturnes were composed immediately after major surgery, against a deadline, and, despite the music sounding unlike anything I have written before, I decided to keep them exactly as they turned out. 2010 is a Chopin year, and I made this pair of nocturnes into a little tribute, after playing through and listening to most of his output. Never before had I composed under these drugged conditions – the musical dimensions were enormously exaggerated, with each interval and each phrase being elongated out of all proportion, and the whole few minutes filling the whole of time and space. The orchestration, for piano quartet, was influenced by the very neo-classical feel of the chamber version of the concertos, and the harmonic language very much the result of pondering Chopin’s very individual take on J.S Bach. They are dedicated to James MacMillan and Amelia Freedman respectively. Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (2010)/ Répertoire / Piano, Violon, Alto et Violoncelle

for Trombone and String Orchestra [Piano Score with Solo Part]-The prolific and hard-working Swedish composer Lars-Erik Larsson composed this splendid set of Concertini as a reaction to the lack of performance pieces for amateur orchestras and their principal players. Written between 1953 and 1957 they demonstrate the influence on his compositions of Romantic composers rather than the more rigid or severe rules from other periods and requiring moderate skill these are practical and ultimately enjoyable pieces. Relatively unknown there has been little enthusiasm for this work outside Sweden perhaps considered too simple for most performing musicians though this is precisely the reason that they are so versatile andpleasurable. Concertino Nr. 7 for Trombone contains a satirical element poking fun in a youthful manner with considered and ponderous notes contrasting with pompous blasts in the outer movements. Originally composed for String Orchestra and Trombone this piece has been beautifully set here for Trombone and features an accompanying Piano reduction.

Written to celebrate the 110th Anniversary of the Joliet Township High School Orchestras of Illinois, 'Stone and Steel' is a modern concert overture by Richard Meyer that treats the listener and performer to a myriad of styles and moods. The piece begins with a heavy, ponderous theme marked 'Molto pesante,' which depicts the limestone quarries that first earned Joliet the nickname 'City of Stone' in the early 1800s. The mood soon changes and we can visualize huge barges laden down with stone, making their way through the city's large lift bridges and into the famous Illinois and Michigan Canal on their way to regional customers. With the construction of a steel mill in 1869, Joliet became known as the 'City of Steel.' Stone and steel were now shipped by both canal and railroad, and this exciting new age is represented by a modern, fast-moving theme in a bright major key. The two themes, 'stone' and 'steel,' are then further developed, and the piece culminates in a majestic, celebratory final statement of the 'steel' theme. (6:00) / Orchestre A Cordes

Ponder Anew. Innovative harmonies and a well-known hymn tune are the hallmarks of this successful new anthem. The powerful lyric speaks to the divine calling of the church and the work that God has done, is doing, and will continue doing among His people. Variety sounds throughout the anthem with shimmering chords beckoning the listener to ponder anew before surrendering to the tune ST. DENIO, with admonitions to praise and share what marvelous, infinite things God can do! After an impressive climax, the piece winds down to a reflective ending, returning the piece to its thoughtful beginnings. Highly effective!

A divine allegory pondering on the mystery of the incarnation as described by St. Ephrem the Syrian. For mixed chorus semichorus (TB) handbell and organ.

ACTIONS INTERPOLATIONS AND ANALYSES symphonies for bass-clarinet and large ensemble (1987-90) is what is commonly termed a work in progress. So far Schaathun has completed three of five parts. The is the composer's first large-scale attempt to investigate possible connections between ostensibly unrelated material. Explained in simple terms it involves taking two of Schaathun's 'own' type of texture (composed by means of different techniques) and letting them 'rotate' around a familiar musical object (in this case a short excerpt from Stravinskij's Symphonies of Wind instruments in which he employs the famous 'frozen' chords). In the course of thepiece the elements takes over various characteristics from one another and the form progresses from fairly clear-cut textures to a situation where the various textures are superimposed creating a dramatic flow. On a more advanced level the piece is about trying to mediate between different musical textures as metaphors for the different levels of the sound itself. One of the main questions in this context is; What is size in music? Is it possible to take a small chord(i.e. narrow register few instruments simple tone colours) and then blow it up (wide register many instruments advanced mixtures) in such a way that the listener still perceives it as the same chord? You have simply moved closer to the sound. At any rate when Schaathun composed the piece he himself travellig into the sound as if were viewing a texture from a distance. He then recomposed the same situation and drew closer and then recompose it a third time and simply get close enough to discover the world of sounds that thus emerged. A world of sounds capable of travelling at a tremendous speed... However like all concertos the piece is of course about the individual and his relationship to his surroundings (society). Schaathun has often pondered on the reason for this preoccupation wih solo concertos. The answer derives from his firm conviction that

Since the beginning of time man has pondered what happens when our physical body dies. Some believe we go to Heaven. Others doubt its existence entirely. Then there are those who have had near death experiences and live to tell their stories. This composition starts delicately as peacefulness returns to the soul. It intensifies as we approach our new consciousness, constantly modulating between the two as we gain knowledge of our new surroundings. (4:45) / Concert Band

Ponder for a moment the lengths to which people have gone the trials they have endured and the risks they have taken while fighting to gain or preserve their freedom. After all without freedom what do you have?The opening of IN PRAISE OF FREEDOM introduces a sense of patriotism and independence. The Brass Woodwinds and Percussion take turns sharing the 'spotlight' throughout this uplifting piece. A final fanfare praises the progress of the relentless development of freedom for all mankind.

Corrected Edition 1997-This 1979 composition for Cello and Piano by Alberto Ginastera was written for his young cellist wife Aurora Natola. A grand twenty-minute work made up of four distinct movements moving through aggressive passages and ponderous slower sections. It is rather typical of the late style of Ginastera though not as angular as some of his works it is imbued with folk-like rhythms and motives.

The perfect technical piece for developing tone, listening skills, string crossings, smooth bow changes, and independence - as well as celebrating beautiful days at a park as melodies and dynamics move up and down between sections, as on a seesaw. The lines of music that the various instruments have weave up and down across each other as friendships weave throughout our lives. Imagine a leisurely day at the park, perhaps on a seesaw, and ponder this poem by the composer, Steven H. Brook. While pleasant breezes grace the sky, and clouds of joy drift gently by, our friendship bonds, we learn to play---and now, with you, we share today. (2:00) / Orchestre A Cordes

A terrific publication containing fifteen fabulous tunes for accordion in simple and straightforward arrangements. It follows the already successful Easy Blues Tunes for clarinet saxophone and trumpet collections and expands the range. The diverse styles included within range from quick and dynamic jazzy-blues to slow and ponderous traditional blues. Yvonne Warmelink is a respected and succesful accordion player based in Holland and her arrangemets of Cathrine's tunes are perfect for beginners. Grade: Easy