Orchestra and Cobla

SKU: BO.B.3260

Composed by Josep Ma Ruera. Instrumental Sets. Duration 40:52. Published by Editorial de Musica Boileau (BO.B.3260).

ISBN 9788480207584.

Engl ish comments:
Empuries is the result of the interest Ruera showed throughout his life for the culture and music of ancient Greece. As he himself writes in the introduction to the composition: The motives behind this work were inspired by contemplating and analysing the melos of ancient Greece. The few melodies that have been discovered from those far-off times inspired the composer of Empuries to create this work, conceived with the Greek modal system in mind, and adapted to modern instruments and tastes. The tetrachord and pentachords of these forms are the very bases of this work. The descending drift of the cadence, the harmonic priority of the upper and lower notes of the tetrachords and the displacement of these chords to different acoustic levels, make it impossible to specify the classic concept of a set tonality which, within the improvised musical working of the piece, leads to a naturally intertonal or atonal piece of music. Empuries came to light in 1971, when it won group A of the Ciutat de Barcelona prize. But one must, in fact, go back to the 1930s to find its true origins. Ruera made his first foray into the theme of ancient Greece with the sardana, Empuries, la grega, with which he won first prize in the Jocs Florals in Girona, in 1931. Shortly afterwards, he wrote a piece of organ music entitled Bucolics, in the Greek modal style, which was destroyed during the Spanish civil war. Ruera continued to work on the theme and in 1936 he presented his work Tres moviments simfonics, for a big band, inspired by the ancient Greek modes, at the XIV International Festival of the ISCM held in Barcelona. The work was chosen to debut in the festival's opening concert on 19 April 1936 at Palacio de Bellas Artes in Barcelona. In 1959, Ruera won the Pau Casals Prize at the Jocs Florals de la Llengua Catalana, held at the Sorbonne in Paris, for his work, Empuries: poema per a cobla i orquestra, which would later become the fourth movement of Empuries. Nine years later, in 1968, Barcelona City Orchestra, conducted by Antoni Ros Marba, gave the first ever performance of the symphonic poem Pastoral, written to be the first movement of Empuries, in Granollers. The final step was when he finally completed the work, won the Ciutat de Barcelona prize, opened in Granollers on 2 May 1976 and recorded it for the Columbia de Barcelona label in 1977. Anna Maria Piera

Comentario s del Espanol:
La obra Empuries es fruto del interes que el maestro Ruera demostro a lo largo de su vida por la cultura y la musica de la antigua Grecia. Como el mismo escribe en la cabecera de la composicion: Los motivos generadores de esta obra estan inspirados en la contemplacion y en el analisis del melos de la antigua Grecia. Las pocas melodias que hasta el momento se han podido descubrir de aquellos tiempos remotos sugieren al autor de Empuries la realizacion de esta obra, concebida pensando en el sistema modal griego, adaptado a los instrumentos y gustos modernos. Los tetracordes y pentacordes de dichas modalidades son las celulas en las que se basa la obra. El sentido descendiente de la cadencia, la prioridad armonica de la notas extremas de los tetracordes y el desplazamiento de estos acordes a varias alturas acusticas, hacen que no sea posible precisar el clasico concepto de una tonalidad determinada y que lleven, dentro del funcionamiento contrapuntistico, a una musica naturalmente intertonal o atonal. Empuries vio la luz en el ano 1971, ganando el Premio Ciutat de Barcelona, grupo A, pero en realidad tenemos que retroceder hasta los anos 30 para encontrar sus verdaderos origenes. La primera incursion en el tema de la antigua Gracia la hizo con la sardana Empuries, la grega, con la que gano el primer premio en los Jocs Florals de Gerona del ano 1931. Poco despues escribio una pieza para organo titulada Bucolics, en el estilo modal griego, que fue destruida durante la Guerra Civil espanola. Ruera continuo trabajando en el tema y en el ano 1936 presento su obra Tres moviments simfonics, en version para gran banda, inspirada en las antiguas modalidades griegas, en el XIV Festival Internacional de la SIMC que se celebro en Barcelona. La obra fue escogida para ser estrenada en el concierto inaugural de dicho festival, el 19 de abril de 1936, en el Palacio de Bellas Artes de Barcelona. En el 1959, Ruera gano el Premio Pau Casals en los Jocs Florals de la Llengua Catalana celebrados en la Sorbona de Paris con la obra Empuries: poema per a cobla i orquestra, que sera con el paso del tiempo el cuarto movimiento de Empuries. Nueve anos mas tarde, en 1968, la Orquestra Ciutat de Barcelona, bajo la direccion de Antoni Ros Marba, interpreto en Granollers la primera audicion del poema sinfonico Pastoral, pensado como primer movimiento de Empuries. El ultimo eslabon fue terminar definitivamente la obra, ganar el Premio Ciutat de Barcelona, estrenarla en Granollers el 2 de mayo de 1976 y grabarla para la casa discografica Columbia de Barcelona, en 1977.

Piano, wind instruments, double bass and percussion

SKU: BO.B.3668

Composed by Jordi Cervello. Published by Editorial de Musica Boileau (BO.B.3668).

It was commissioned by Banda Municipal de Barcelona (Barcelona's municipal band) and performed for the first time on January 30th 2011 at L'Auditori de Barcelona (auditorium of Barcelona).

This concert is divided into three movements. The first, bearing the name of Preludi (Prelude), is slow and mysterious, with two alternating subject matters flowing gently. It is only towards the end that a rapid cadence of the piano leads to an orchestral tutti which will gradually fade within the general atmosphere.

The second movement is a Scherzo-Cadenza, always in a bar of 6/8, based on triplets and twangs but also tied at the most expressive moments. The piano and the wind and percussion instruments embark in a contrapuntal dialogue in which a burlesque character alternates with forceful moments. The movement ends subtly, with a long scale flowing from a low to a high pitch.

A cadence of the piano serves as a liaison with the third movement, an Allegro molto, the longest and most complex of the whole concert. This movement is clearly virtuosic and it consists of three main subject matters which alternate and blend. The atmosphere is lively and unmistakably burlesque, although there are three thoughtful moments in which it becomes mysterious. The coda is fast, bright and clearly conclusive.

Score and Parts Concert Band; Wind Orchestra (Score & Parts) - Grade 5

SKU: HL.4008644

Wind Orchestra, Grade 5, 12:45 Score and Parts. Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by Franco Cesarini. Editions Franco Cesarini. Classical, Fugue. Softcover. Duration 765 seconds. Hal Leonard #EFC004-CBHA. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.4008644).

ISBN 9798350115024. UPC: 196288189695.

The Passacaglia is a set of instrumental variations based on an ostinato bass. Bach's Passacaglia and Fugue in C-minor for organ represents the pinnacle of what had been achieved in this compositional form at that time. In Franco Cesarini’s arrangement for large wind orchestra, the particularly careful interpretation of the original piece enables him to exploit all the sound colors at his disposal, and in this sumptuous guise Bach's work also takes on a grandiose dimension, albeit tinged with late-Romanticism. The exposition of the beautiful theme begins in the bass part, immediately creating a solemn and serious atmosphere which is accentuated by the intensely pathetic character of the first variations. Up to the tenth variation it remains confined to the bass, but in subsequent ones it also passes to the soprano and alto register. The integrity of the theme is also embellished with elegant arpeggios, in whose lower and higher extensions the theme can be distinguished. Towards the end it returns to the bass in an impressive thickening of the polyphonic texture that swiftly re-establishes the key of C-minor. The “Thema fugatum” which follows immediately does not constitute a Fugue in its own right, rather it is nothing but the twenty-first and most extensive variation of the Passacaglia. This time Bach uses only the first half of the theme, superimposing a rhythmic countersubject that considerably enlivens the entire development of the composition. The polyphonic discourse becomes increasingly dense, until the building tension peaks in a powerful “Neapolitan sixth” chord, followed by a sudden pause. This culminating moment then leads to the coda and final cadence on a bright C-major chord.

Chamber Music Flute(s)

SKU: CF.WF230

The Art of Staying in Shape. Composed by Robert Stallman. With Standard notation. 144 pages. Carl Fischer Music #WF230. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.WF230).

ISBN 9781491153741. UPC: 680160911240.

Ever since he was honored 50 years ago as a top prize-winning graduate of New England Conservatory and a Fulbright scholar at the Paris Conservatoire, flutist Robert Stallman has drawn accolades around the world as a performer and recording artist who “dazzles because of his penetrating artistry” (Sunday Times/London). Also known internationally for superior flute editions, including numerous transcriptions that have greatly expanded the repertoire, Stallman now offers flutists an appealing collection of original melodic warm-ups. With The Flutist’s Handbook, he shares his fresh approach to staying in shape and maintaining his reputation for “consummate virtuosity” (Repertoire/France).
P refaceOne morning many years ago I opened my flute case and suddenly found myself questioning the wisdom of having scales and long tones come first in my practice session. Of course, these are essential to daily practice, but I wondered if there might be a better way to begin the day—with something more melodic and engaging, something to really inspire me.The Flutist’s Handbook emerged from a stream of musical ideas I began to jot down during practice sessions after that “aha” moment. As I worked with them, I noticed a more spontaneous interest in practicing. In fact I even looked forward to starting my day this way. As a result, my work on scales, arpeggios and long tones followed with more enjoyment and focused attention.In creating many of the détaché warm-ups found in Part I, I was drawn to the musical sequences of J. S. Bach, particularly those developed in his keyboard works. Bach had discovered the most satisfying musical patterns on which to build his music, so here was a treasure trove of invigorating melodic material. I also borrowed apt détaché passages from C.P.E. Bach, Schubert, Dvořák and others.Part II includes more musical quodlibets and echos in a collection of fifteen short melodies designed to open and center the tone, while encouraging full breath support. These melodies also concentrate on developing our sostenuto, or true legato playing—the foundation of a beautiful sonority and natural vocal expression. Except for final cadence notes, these warm-ups should be practiced without vibrato, to create an even and seamless instrument, bottom to top.All of these warm-ups are to be played forte and piano in every major key, proceeding chromatically by rising half-steps. Tempo indications are given in the headings, as are optional rhythmic and articulation variants. Suggested breath marks are in parentheses.The Handbook opens with détaché warm-ups for a good reason. It is vital to begin our practice with tonguing, as a clean attack is essential to producing a beautiful tone. Also, in working on tonguing (single, double, triple and tremolando) we stimulate and strengthen the jaw muscles that support the embouchure (which must remain supple and flexible). As we fine-tune these muscles, we gain tonal center and clarity, qualities that may elude us at the beginning of our practice. Of course, we also need to wake up the air stream and deepen our breath support. Once the tongue is alive and the tone is centered, we are ready to work further on our sonority with the melodic warm-ups in Part II.This book is meant for professionals, students and amateur flutists alike. I offer it to all as a companion that invites more pleasure and vitality into our daily practice. It is my firm belief that by aligning ourselves with our love of music and its energizing patterns each day—from the very first moment we pick up the instrument—we will bring more ease and focus into our lifelong task of staying in shape. This in turn will support the heightened inspiration we want to take into rehearsals and performances. Enjoy!—Robert StallmanMarblehead, MassachusettsApril 20, 2018.

Piano

SKU: BO.B.3305

Composed by De Larrocha Granados. Published by Editorial de Musica Boileau (BO.B.3305).

ISBN 9788480206792.

Engl ish comments:
Given that Granados' creative periods continually overlap, in order to organize the works of Granados' Juvenilia this edition has grouped the works according to their chronological-biographica l order and/or to their style. The majority of the works in this section were composed between his student years in Paris (1887-1889) and the founding of the Academia Granados in 1901. Many of these works are quite similar to one another being sketches and brief compositions characterised by an unfocused formal structure, harmonic ambiguity and a tendency to place the final cadence on the dominant. The fact that many of these works were not highly developed would tend to suggest that they were never revised by the composer. Typical of a young composer focusing on his own personal inspirations, Granados concentrated on themes of nature, oriental motifs, exploration of emotions, frequently making use of the salonnier (salon) genre.

Comentarios del Espanol:
Para organizar la edicion de los apartados correspondientes a las obras juveniles de Granados se ha partido de los criterios cronologico - biograficos y de estilo dado que, aunque los periodos creativos del compositor se mezclan continuamente, la mayor parte de las obras de este apartado fueron escritas entre su etapa de estudiante en Paris y la fundacion de la Academia Granados en 1901 y, a pesar de presentar una gran heterogeneidad entre ellas, se trata de esbozos y breves composiciones caracterizadas por una estructura formal poco destacada, marcada por la ambiguedad armonica y por una tendencia a colocar la cadencia final en la dominante. La poca elaboracion de la mayor parte de estas obras delata que probablemente ni tan siquiera fueran revisadas posteriormente por el compositor. Todas ellas son propias de un compositor joven y responden a los temas propios del momento como son la naturaleza, los motivos orientales o la exaltacion de los sentimientos. El recurso al genero salonnier (obras de salon) y las dedicatorias a senoras y senoritas son tambien recursos propios de la epoca.

Choir Secular

SKU: AP.48813

Composed by Jay Althouse. This edition: SoundTrax CD. Choral Octavo; Performance Music Ensemble; Single Titles. Alfred Choral Designs. Graduation; Secular. CD. Alfred Music #00-48813. Published by Alfred Music (AP.48813).

UPC: 038081561370. English.

A solo voice opens this moving anthem of individuality that doubles as a celebration of music. When all the voices join, singers echo warm phrases from part to part and build to an important realization at the bridge: If we all sing together, our songs will become like a symphony. You'll feel a firm tug of the heartstrings as the fully harmonized final verse builds to an impressive cadence and a momentous fermata. An awesome opener or closer in any voicing, and one you won't soon forget.

About Alfred Choral Designs

Th e 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.

Choir Secular (SAB choir/3-Part choir Mixed)

SKU: AP.48811

Composed by Jay Althouse. Performance Music Ensemble; Single Titles. Alfred Choral Designs. Graduation; Secular. Choral Octavo. 8 pages. Alfred Music #00-48811. Published by Alfred Music (AP.48811).

UPC: 038081561356. English.

A solo voice opens this moving anthem of individuality that doubles as a celebration of music. When all the voices join, singers echo warm phrases from part to part and build to an important realization at the bridge: If we all sing together, our songs will become like a symphony. You'll feel a firm tug of the heartstrings as the fully harmonized final verse builds to an impressive cadence and a momentous fermata. An awesome opener or closer in any voicing, and one you won't soon forget.

About Alfred Choral Designs

Th e 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.

Choir Secular (2-Part choir)

SKU: AP.48812

Composed by Jay Althouse. Performance Music Ensemble; Single Titles. Alfred Choral Designs. Graduation; Secular. Choral Octavo. 8 pages. Alfred Music #00-48812. Published by Alfred Music (AP.48812).

UPC: 038081561363. English.

A solo voice opens this moving anthem of individuality that doubles as a celebration of music. When all the voices join, singers echo warm phrases from part to part and build to an important realization at the bridge: If we all sing together, our songs will become like a symphony. You'll feel a firm tug of the heartstrings as the fully harmonized final verse builds to an impressive cadence and a momentous fermata. An awesome opener or closer in any voicing, and one you won't soon forget.

About Alfred Choral Designs

Th e 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.

Choir Secular (SATB choir)

SKU: AP.48810

Composed by Jay Althouse. Performance Music Ensemble; Single Titles. Alfred Choral Designs. Graduation; Secular. Choral Octavo. 8 pages. Alfred Music #00-48810. Published by Alfred Music (AP.48810).

UPC: 038081561349. English.

A solo voice opens this moving anthem of individuality that doubles as a celebration of music. When all the voices join, singers echo warm phrases from part to part and build to an important realization at the bridge: If we all sing together, our songs will become like a symphony. You'll feel a firm tug of the heartstrings as the fully harmonized final verse builds to an impressive cadence and a momentous fermata. An awesome opener or closer in any voicing, and one you won't soon forget.

About Alfred Choral Designs

Th e 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.