Arranged by Roth. For 2-part treble choir, piano. Choral octavo. Published by Alliance Music Publications. (AMP 0624)

Choral Piano, Tambourine, Voice 1, Voice 2, Voice 3

SKU: CF.CM9602

Composed by Brazilian Folk Song. Arranged by Eduardo Lakschevitz Elisa Dekaney. Fold. Performance Score. 12 pages. Duration 2 minutes, 28 seconds. Carl Fischer Music #CM9602. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.CM9602).

ISBN 9781491154243. UPC: 680160912742. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: Gb major. Portuguese. Brazilian Folk Song.

According to Ermelinda Paz , Marujo do Rosario (literally translated from the Portuguese as Sailor of the Rosary) comes from the hydrographic region of the Sao Francisco River, a basin that includes the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco, Sergipe, and Alagoas. This song most likely belongs to a style of dramatic dance called cheganca-de-marujo (arrival of sailor). In this tragicomic street drama, the community of actors enact a story in which they demonstrate their experiences as if they were in a vessel lost at sea. In this dance, several characters dressed as sailors and carrying small sail boats on their shoulders, parade through the streets singing and dancing to a march. When they arrive at a determined house, they place their little sail boats on the floor and start the dramatic play. This song seems to be performed when the sailors arrive at the chosen location. The Portuguese lyrics E com licenca e, olele, e com licenca do dono da casa, o e com licenca e means please excuse me, I have permission from the houses owner to come in. This arrangement is scored for three-part mixed with optional baritone, piano, and pandeiro. The pandeiro is a Brazilian frame drum with jingles played with the hands, similar to the orchestral tambourine. It is used in various music styles but particularly in samba and bossa nova. In fact, feel free to substitute the pandeiro with the orchestral tambourine. The text is very short and simple. To make your singers Portuguese pronunciation more accurate, do not close final m or n. Just nasalize them. IPA Transcription E com licenca olele e [? k? li'sensa olele e] E com licenca do dono da casa [? k? li'sensa du d?nu da kaza].
According to Ermelinda Paz , Marujo do RosA!rio (literally translated from the Portuguese as aSailor of the Rosarya) comes from the hydrographic region of the SAPSo Francisco River, a basin that includes the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco, Sergipe, and Alagoas. This song most likely belongs to a style of dramatic dance called acheganASSa-de-marujoa (arrival of sailor). In this tragicomic street drama, the community of actors enact a story in which they demonstrate their experiences as if they were in a vessel lost at sea. In this dance, several characters dressed as sailors and carrying small sail boats on their shoulders, parade through the streets singing and dancing to a march. When they arrive at a determined house, they place their little sail boats on the floor and start the dramatic play. This song seems to be performed when the sailors arrive at the chosen location. The Portuguese lyrics aA com licenASSa Aa, A'lelAa, A(c) com licenASSa do dono da casa, A' Aa com licenASSa Aaa means aplease excuse me, I have permission from the houseas owner to come in.a This arrangement is scored for three-part mixed with optional baritone, piano, and pandeiro. The pandeiro is a Brazilian frame drum with jingles played with the hands, similar to the orchestral tambourine. It is used in various music styles but particularly in samba and bossa nova. In fact, feel free to substitute the pandeiro with the orchestral tambourine. The text is very short and simple. To make your singers Portuguese pronunciation more accurate, do not close final ama or an.a Just nasalize them. IPA Transcription A com licenASSa olelAa Aa [E kE li'sensa oleale e] A com licenASSa do dono da casa [E kE li'sensa du adEnu da akaza].
According to Ermelinda Paz , Marujo do Rosario (literally translated from the Portuguese as Sailor of the Rosary) comes from the hydrographic region of the Sao Francisco River, a basin that includes the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco, Sergipe, and Alagoas. This song most likely belongs to a style of dramatic dance called cheganca-de-marujo (arrival of sailor). In this tragicomic street drama, the community of actors enact a story in which they demonstrate their experiences as if they were in a vessel lost at sea. In this dance, several characters dressed as sailors and carrying small sail boats on their shoulders, parade through the streets singing and dancing to a march. When they arrive at a determined house, they place their little sail boats on the floor and start the dramatic play. This song seems to be performed when the sailors arrive at the chosen location. The Portuguese lyrics E com licenca e, olele, e com licenca do dono da casa, o e com licenca e means please excuse me, I have permission from the house's owner to come in. This arrangement is scored for three-part mixed with optional baritone, piano, and pandeiro. The pandeiro is a Brazilian frame drum with jingles played with the hands, similar to the orchestral tambourine. It is used in various music styles but particularly in samba and bossa nova. In fact, feel free to substitute the pandeiro with the orchestral tambourine. The text is very short and simple. To make your singers Portuguese pronunciation more accurate, do not close final m or n. Just nasalize them. IPA Transcription E com licenca olele e [e k^ li'sensa ole'le e] E com licenca do dono da casa [e k^ li'sensa du 'd^nu da 'kaza].
According to Ermelinda Paz, Marujo do Rosario (literally translated from the Portuguese as Sailor of the Rosary) comes from the hydrographic region of the Sao Francisco River, a basin that includes the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco, Sergipe, and Alagoas. This song most likely belongs to a style of dramatic dance called cheganca-de-marujo (arrival of sailor). In this tragicomic street drama, the community of actors enact a story in which they demonstrate their experiences as if they were in a vessel lost at sea. In this dance, several characters dressed as sailors and carrying small sail boats on their shoulders, parade through the streets singing and dancing to a march. When they arrive at a determined house, they place their little sail boats on the floor and start the dramatic play. This song seems to be performed when the sailors arrive at the chosen location. The Portuguese lyrics E com licenca e, olele, e com licenca do dono da casa, o e com licenca e means please excuse me, I have permission from the house's owner to come in. This arrangement is scored for three-part mixed with optional baritone, piano, and pandeiro. The pandeiro is a Brazilian frame drum with jingles played with the hands, similar to the orchestral tambourine. It is used in various music styles but particularly in samba and bossa nova. In fact, feel free to substitute the pandeiro with the orchestral tambourine. The text is very short and simple. To make your singers Portuguese pronunciation more accurate, do not close final m or n. Just nasalize them. IPA Transcription E com licenca olele e [e k^ li'sensa ole'le e] E com licenca do dono da casa [e k^ li'sensa du 'd^nu da 'kaza].
According to Ermelinda Paz, Marujo do Rosário (literally translated from the Portuguese as “Sailor of the Rosary”) comes from the hydrographic region of the São Francisco River, a basin that includes the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco, Sergipe, and Alagoas. This song most likely belongs to a style of dramatic dance called “chegança-de-mar ujo” (arrival of sailor). In this tragicomic street drama, the community of actors enact a story in which they demonstrate their experiences as if they were in a vessel lost at sea. In this dance, several characters dressed as sailors and carrying small sail boats on their shoulders, parade through the streets singing and dancing to a march. When they arrive at a determined house, they place their little sail boats on the floor and start the dramatic play. This song seems to be performed when the sailors arrive at the chosen location. The Portuguese lyrics “É com licença ê, ôlelê, é com licença do dono da casa, ô ê com licença ê” means “please excuse me, I have permission from the house’s owner to come in.”This arrangement is scored for three-part mixed with optional baritone, piano, and pandeiro. The pandeiro is a Brazilian frame drum with jingles played with the hands, similar to the orchestral tambourine. It is used in various music styles but particularly in samba and bossa nova. In fact, feel free to substitute the pandeiro with the orchestral tambourine. The text is very short and simple. To make your singers Portuguese pronunciation more accurate, do not close final “m” or “n.” Just nasalize them.IPA TranscriptionÉ com licença olelê ê[ɛ kʌ li'sensa ole‘le e]É com licença do dono da casa[ɛ kʌ li'sensa du ‘dʌnu da ‘kaza].

C Edition. By Various. Fake Book (Includes melody line and chords). 368 pages. Published by Hal Leonard.

Orchestra, Organ (Fl1, Fl2 , Fl3(Fl-picc), 2 Ob, EnglHn, 2 clarinet, clarinet-B, 2 bassoon, bassoon-Co, Hn1, Hn2 , Hn3(chrom.), Hn4(chrom.), 3Trp, 3trombone, timpani, Tr-Gr, Tri, Be, Org, piano-4ms, 2 Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass) - Level 5

SKU: BA.BA10303-01

Composed by Camille Saint-Saens. Edited by Michael Stegemann. This edition: Edition of selected works, Urtext edition. Linen. Saint-Saens, Camille. Oevres instrumentales completes I/3. Edition of selected works, Score. Opus 78. Duration 39 minutes. Baerenreiter Verlag #BA10303_01. Published by Baerenreiter Verlag (BA.BA10303-01).

ISBN 9790006559503. 33 x 26 cm inches. Key: C minor. Preface: Michael Stegemann.

The third symphony by Camille Saint-Saens, known as the Organ Symphony, is the first publication in a complete historical-critical edition of the French composer's instrumental works.

I gave everything I was able to give in this work. [...] What I have done here I will never be able to do again.Camille Saint-Saens was rightly proud of his third Symphony in C minor Op.78, dedicated to the memory of Franz Liszt. Called theOrgan Symphonybecause of its novel scoring, the work was a commission from the Philharmonic Society in London, as was Beethoven's Ninth, and was premiered there on 19 May 1886. The first performance in Paris followed on 9 January 1887 and confirmed the composer's reputation asprobably the most significant, and certainly the most independent French symphonistof his time, as Ludwig Finscher wrote in MGG. In fact the work remains the only one in the history of that genre in France to the present day, composed a good half century after the Symphonie fantastique by Hector Berlioz and a good half century before Olivier Messiaen's Turangalila Symphonie.

You would think that such a famous, much-performed and much recorded opus could not hold any more secrets, but far from it: in the first historical-critical edition of the Symphony, numerous inconsistencies and mistakes in the Durand edition in general use until now, have been uncovered and corrected. An examination and evaluation of the sources ranged from two early sketches, now preserved in Paris and Washington (in which the Symphony was still in B minor!) via the autograph manuscript and a set of proofs corrected by Saint-Saens himself, to the first and subsequent editions of the full score and parts. The versions for piano duet (by Leon Roques) and for two pianos (by the composer himself) were also consulted. Further crucial information was finally found in his extensive correspondence, encompassing thousands of previously unpublished letters. The discoveries made in producing this edition include the fact that at its London premiere, the Symphony probably looked quite different from its present appearance ...

No less exciting than the work itself is the history of its composition and reception, which are described in an extensive foreword. With his Symphony, Saint-Saens entered right into the dispute which divided French musical life into pro and contra Wagner in the 1880s and 1890s. At the same time, the work succeeded in preserving the balance between tradition and modernism in masterly fashion, as a contemporary critic stated:The C minor Symphony by Saint-Saens creates a bridge from the past into the future, from immortal richness to progress, from ideas to their implementation.

On 19 March 1886 Saint-Saens wrote to the London Philharmonic Society, which commissioned the work:

Work on the symphony is in full swing. But I warn you, it will be terrible. Here is the precise instrumentation: 3 flutes / 2 oboes / 1 cor anglais / 2 clarinets / 1 bass clarinet / 2 bassoons / 1 contrabassoon / 2 natural horns / [3 trumpets / Saint-Saens had forgotten these in his listing.] 2 chromatic horns / 3 trombones / 1 tuba / 3 timpani / organ / 1 piano duet and the strings, of course. Fortunately, there are no harps. Unfortunately it will be difficult. I am doing what I can to mitigate the difficulties.

As in my 4th Concerto [for piano] and my [1st] Violin Sonata [in D minor Op.75] at first glance there appear to be just two parts: the first Allegro and the Adagio, the Scherzo and the Finale, each attacca. This fiendish symphony has crept up by a semitone; it did not want to stay in B minor, and is now in C minor.

It would be a pleasure for me to conduct this symphony. Whether it would be a pleasure for others to hear it? That is the question. It is you who wanted it, I wash my hands of it. I will bring the orchestral parts carefully corrected with me, and if anyone wants to give me a nice rehearsal for the symphony after the full rehearsal, everything will be fine.

When Saint-Saens hit upon the idea of adding an organ and a piano to the usual orchestral scoring is not known. The idea of adding an organ part to a secular orchestral work intended for the concert hall was thoroughly novel - and not without controversy. On the other hand, Franz Liszt, whose music Saint-Saens' Symphony is so close to, had already demonstrated that the organ could easily be an orchestral instrument in his symphonic poem Hunnenschlacht (1856/57). There was also a model for the piano duet part which Saint-Saens knew and may possibly have used quite consciously as an exemplar: theFantaisie sur la Tempetefrom the lyrical monodrama Lelio, ou le retour a la Vie op. 14bis (1831) by Berlioz. The name of the organist at the premiere ist unknown, as, incidentally, was also the case with many of the later performances; the organ part is indeed not soloistic, but should be understood as part of the orchestral texture.

In fact the subsequent success of the symphony seems to have represented a kind of breakthrough for the composer, who was then over 50 years of age.My dear composer of a famous symphony, wrote Saint-Saens' friend and pupil Gabriel Faure:You will never be able to imagine what a pleasure I had last Sunday [at the second performance on 16 January 1887]! And I had the score and did not miss a single note of this Symphony, which will endure much longer than we two, even if we were to join together our two lifespans!

About Barenreiter Urtext

What can I expect from a Barenreiter Urtext edition?< /p>

MUSICOLOGICA LLY SOUND
- A reliable musical text based on all available sources
- A description of the sources
- Information on the genesis and history of the work
- Valuable notes on performance practice
- Includes an introduction with critical commentary explaining source discrepancies and editorial decisions

... AND PRACTICAL
- Page-turns, fold-out pages, and cues where you need them
- A well-presented layout and a user-friendly format
- Excellent print quality
- Superior paper and binding

Band Bass Clarinet, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Clarinet, Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2, Clarinet 3, Contrabass Clarinet, Contrabassoon, Double Bass, English Horn, Euphonium, Flute 1, Flute 2, Horn 1, Horn 2, Horn 3, Horn 4, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, Percussion 1 and more.

SKU: PR.16500102F

Mvt. 2 from Symphony No. 6 (Three Places in the East). Composed by Dan Welcher. Full score. 52 pages. Theodore Presser Company #165-00102F. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.16500102F).

ISBN 9781491131749. UPC: 680160680276.

Ever since the success of my series of wind ensemble works Places in the West, I've been wanting to write a companion piece for national parks on the other side of the north American continent. The earlier work, consisting of GLACIER, THE YELLOWSTONE FIRES, ARCHES, and ZION, spanned some twenty years of my composing life, and since the pieces called for differing groups of instruments, and were in slightly different styles from each other, I never considered them to be connected except in their subject matter. In their depiction of both the scenery and the human history within these wondrous places, they had a common goal: awaking the listener to the fragile beauty that is in them; and calling attention to the ever more crucial need for preservation and protection of these wild places, unique in all the world. With this new work, commissioned by a consortium of college and conservatory wind ensembles led by the University of Georgia, I decided to build upon that same model---but to solidify the process. The result, consisting of three movements (each named for a different national park in the eastern US), is a bona-fide symphony. While the three pieces could be performed separately, they share a musical theme---and also a common style and instrumentation. It is a true symphony, in that the first movement is long and expository, the second is a rather tightly structured scherzo-with-trio, and the finale is a true culmination of the whole. The first movement, Everglades, was the original inspiration for the entire symphony. Conceived over the course of two trips to that astonishing place (which the native Americans called River of Grass, the subtitle of this movement), this movement not only conveys a sense of the humid, lush, and even frightening scenery there---but also an overview of the entire settling-of- Florida experience. It contains not one, but two native American chants, and also presents a view of the staggering influence of modern man on this fragile part of the world. Beginning with a slow unfolding marked Heavy, humid, the music soon presents a gentle, lyrical theme in the solo alto saxophone. This theme, which goes through three expansive phrases with breaks in between, will appear in all three movements of the symphony. After the mood has been established, the music opens up to a rich, warm setting of a Cherokee morning song, with the simple happiness that this part of Florida must have had prior to the nineteenth century. This music, enveloping and comforting, gradually gives way to a more frenetic, driven section representative of the intrusion of the white man. Since Florida was populated and developed largely due to the introduction of a train system, there's a suggestion of the mechanized iron horse driving straight into the heartland. At that point, the native Americans become considerably less gentle, and a second chant seems to stand in the way of the intruder; a kind of warning song. The second part of this movement shows us the great swampy center of the peninsula, with its wildlife both in and out of the water. A new theme appears, sad but noble, suggesting that this land is precious and must be protected by all the people who inhabit it. At length, the morning song reappears in all its splendor, until the sunset---with one last iteration of the warning song in the solo piccolo. Functioning as a scherzo, the second movement, Great Smoky Mountains, describes not just that huge park itself, but one brave soul's attempt to climb a mountain there. It begins with three iterations of the UR-theme (which began the first movement as well), but this time as up-tempo brass fanfares in octaves. Each time it begins again, the theme is a little slower and less confident than the previous time---almost as though the hiker were becoming aware of the daunting mountain before him. But then, a steady, quick-pulsed ostinato appears, in a constantly shifting meter system of 2/4- 3/4 in alteration, and the hike has begun. Over this, a slower new melody appears, as the trek up the mountain progresses. It's a big mountain, and the ascent seems to take quite awhile, with little breaks in the hiker's stride, until at length he simply must stop and rest. An oboe solo, over several free cadenza-like measures, allows us (and our friend the hiker) to catch our breath, and also to view in the distance the rocky peak before us. The goal is somehow even more daunting than at first, being closer and thus more frighteningly steep. When we do push off again, it's at a slower pace, and with more careful attention to our footholds as we trek over broken rocks. Tantalizing little views of the valley at every switchback make our determination even stronger. Finally, we burst through a stand of pines and----we're at the summit! The immensity of the view is overwhelming, and ultimately humbling. A brief coda, while we sit dazed on the rocks, ends the movement in a feeling of triumph. The final movement, Acadia, is also about a trip. In the summer of 2014, I took a sailing trip with a dear friend from North Haven, Maine, to the southern coast of Mt. Desert Island in Acadia National Park. The experience left me both exuberant and exhausted, with an appreciation for the ocean that I hadn't had previously. The approach to Acadia National Park by water, too, was thrilling: like the difference between climbing a mountain on foot with riding up on a ski-lift, I felt I'd earned the right to be there. The music for this movement is entirely based on the opening UR-theme. There's a sense of the water and the mysterious, quiet deep from the very beginning, with seagulls and bell buoys setting the scene. As we leave the harbor, the theme (in a canon between solo euphonium and tuba) almost seems as if large subaquatic animals are observing our departure. There are three themes (call them A, B and C) in this seafaring journey---but they are all based on the UR theme, in its original form with octaves displaced, in an upside-down form, and in a backwards version as well. (The ocean, while appearing to be unchanging, is always changing.) We move out into the main channel (A), passing several islands (B), until we reach the long draw that parallels the coastline called Eggemoggin Reach, and a sudden burst of new speed (C). Things suddenly stop, as if the wind had died, and we have a vision: is that really Mt. Desert Island we can see off the port bow, vaguely in the distance? A chorale of saxophones seems to suggest that. We push off anew as the chorale ends, and go through all three themes again---but in different instrumentations, and different keys. At the final tack-turn, there it is, for real: Mt. Desert Island, big as life. We've made it. As we pull into the harbor, where we'll secure the boat for the night, there's a feeling of achievement. Our whale and dolphin friends return, and we end our journey with gratitude and celebration. I am profoundly grateful to Jaclyn Hartenberger, Professor of Conducting at the University of Georgia, for leading the consortium which provided the commissioning of this work.

For voice and C instrument. Format: fakebook. With vocal melody, lyrics and chord names. Randb and classic soul. Series: Hal Leonard Fake Books. 437 pages. 9x12 inches. Published by Hal Leonard.

Arranged by Russell L. Robinson. For SSA Choir. Sheet Music. Published by Shawnee Press.

Choral (Studiotrax CD)

SKU: HL.35032679

(New Edition). Composed by Joseph M. Martin. Glory Sound. Easter, General Worship, Holy Week, Lent, Sacred. CD. Duration 200 seconds. Published by Shawnee Press (HL.35032679).

UPC: 888680912239. 5.0x5.0x0.185 inches. Charlotte Elliott/Joseph M. Martin. I Timothy 1:15, John 7:37-38, Psalm 51:2.

A new edition of this early Martin hymn resetting! In this version, the key has been lowered and the rhythms adjusted to reflect a more traditional approach to the text, refining the anthem for reverence and worship. The contours of the melody convey longing and repentance while the B section weaves gentle counterpoint into a sonic tapestry of beauty. An approachable yet effective option for Holy Week or services of contemplation. Superb! Score and Parts (fl, ob, cl, bn, perc 1-2, pno, vn 1-2, va, vc, db) available as a digital download.

Arranged by Judy Nishimura. Instrumental parts. Hope Publishing Company #9061. Published by Hope Publishing Company

Deluxe Box Set. By Pearl Jam. Transcribed Score. Hardcover. With guitar tablature. 816 pages. Published by Hal Leonard

Piano - easy to intermediate

SKU: HL.49045014

For Piano. Composed by Nicholas Lens. This edition: Saddle stitching. Sheet music. Piano. Classical, Etude. Softcover. 86 pages. Duration 75'. Schott Music #ED 22049. Published by Schott Music (HL.49045014).

ISBN 9790001202114. 9.0x12.0 inches.

The Belgian composer Nicholas Lens presents extremely varied etudes, exercises and simple phrases with wonderfully telling titles from poetry and everyday world for children and adults. For the most part the studies are tonal and simple and have no constructed line. They are not based on any educational concept but leave the musical dramatization to the pupils and teachers: 'Notes and rhythms are just notes and rhythms, they do not have that many rules, they do not have any pretension, they are just tools for you to use to express what you want to share'.

Scott Joplin Reconsidered. Composed by Scott Joplin (1868-1917). Edited by Lara Downes. Collection. Theodore Presser Company #440-40028. Published by Theodore Presser Company

Lyrics/Chords Ukulele

SKU: HL.232108

By The Beatles. Ukulele. Pop. Softcover. Composed 2014. 384 pages. Hal Leonard #NO91894. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.232108).

ISBN 9781783052738. UPC: 888680677329. 4.5x7.5x0.899 inches.

Complete lyrics and chords to 195 Beatles songs, including: Across the Universe • All My Loving • All You Need Is Love • And I Love Her • Back in the U.S.S.R. • The Ballad of John and Yoko • Birthday • Blackbird • A Day in the Life • Day Tripper • Dear Prudence • Drive My Car • Eight Days a Week • Eleanor Rigby • Good Day Sunshine • Got to Get You into My Life • A Hard Day's Night • Help! • Helter Skelter • Here Comes the Sun • Hey Jude • I Saw Her Standing There • I Want to Hold Your Hand • In My Life • Let It Be • The Long and Winding Road • Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds • Penny Lane • Revolution • Something • Ticket to Ride • Twist and Shout • When I'm Sixty-Four • While My Guitar Gently Weeps • Yellow Submarine • Yesterday • and more. 4-1/2 inches x 7-1/2 inches.

Unison/opt. 2-Part Children's Choir (Unison/2-Part Treble)

SKU: HL.527056

Arranged by Greg Gilpin. Harold Flammer WorshipSongs Jr. Children, Children'S Choir, Concert, Festival, General Worship, Sacred, Spiritual, Youth Choir. Octavo. 12 pages. Duration 135 seconds. Published by Shawnee Press (HL.527056).

ISBN 9781705166277. UPC: 196288074991. 6.75x10.5x0.029 inches. Revelation 7:9-10.

Equally suited for both church and school settings, this popular spiritual was originally sung as a protest song denouncing slavery and hypocrisy. The song's energetic melody underscores an uncompromising drive for equality, justice, and freedom. Repeated phrases in the melody and text make the piece an ideal choice for any unison or two-part choir.

By Dennis Allen, Nan Allen. For Unison/2-part choir. Modern Christian. Sacred. Level: Easy. Accompaniment Track (Musical) - CD. Duration 40 minutes. Published by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing.

Chamber Music String Quartet

SKU: PR.164002720

Cassatt. Composed by Dan Welcher. Spiral and Saddle. Premiere: Cassatt Quartet, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL. Contemporary. Set of Score and Parts. With Standard notation. Composed 2007. WRT11142. 52+16+16+16+16 pages. Duration 24 minutes. Theodore Presser Company #164-00272. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.164002720).

UPC: 680160573042. 8.5 x 11 inches.

My third quartet is laid out in a three-movement structure, with each movement based on an early, middle, and late work of the great American impressionist painter Mary Cassatt. Although the movements are separate, with full-stop endings, the music is connected by a common scale-form, derived from the name MARY CASSATT, and by a recurring theme that introduces all three movements. I see this theme as Mary's Theme, a personality that stays intact while undergoing gradual change.   I The Bacchante (1876) [Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]   The painting shows a young girl of Italian or Spanish origin, playing a small pair of cymbals. Since Cassatt was trying very hard to fit in at the French Academy at the time, she painted a lot of these subjects, which were considered typical and universal. The style of the painting doesn't yet show Cassatt's originality, except perhaps for certain details in the face. Accordingly the music for this movement is Spanish/Italian, in a similar period-style but using the musical signature described above. The music begins with Mary's Theme, ruminative and slow, then abruptly changes to an alla Spagnola-type fast 3/4 - 6/8 meter. It evokes the Spanish-influenced music of Ravel and Falla.   Midway through, there's an accompanied recitative for the viola, which figures large in this particular movement, then back to a truncated recapitulation of the fast music. The overall feeling is of a well-made, rather conventional movement in a contemporary Spanish/Italian style. Cassatt's painting, too, is rather conventional.   II At the Opera (1880) [Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts]   This painting is one of Cassatt's most well known works, and it hangs in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The painting shows a woman alone in a box at the opera house, completely dressed (including gloves) and looking through opera glasses at someone or something that is NOT on the stage. Across the auditorium from her, but exactly at eye level, is a gentleman with opera glasses intently watching her - though it is not him that she's looking at. It's an intriguing picture.   This movement is far less conventional than the first movement, as the painting is far less conventional. The music begins with a rapid, Shostakovich-type mini-overture lasting less than a minute, based on Mary's Theme. My conjecture is that the woman in the painting has arrived late to the opera, busily stumbling into her box. What happens next is a kind of collage, a kind of surrealistic overlaying of two different elements: the foreground music, at first is a direct quotation of Soldier's Chorus from Gounod's FAUST (an opera Cassatt would certainly have heard in the brand-new Paris Opera House at that time), played by Violin II, Viola, and Cello. This music is played sul ponticello in the melody and col legno in the marching accompaniment. On top of this, the first violin hovers at first on a high harmonic, then descends into a slow melody, completely separate from the Gounod. It's as if the woman in the painting is hearing the opera onstage but is not really interested in it. Then the cello joins the first violin in a kind of love-duet (just the two of them, at first). This music isn't at all Gounod-derived; it's entirely from the same scale patterns as the first movement and derives from Mary's Theme and its scale. The music stays in a kind of dichotomy feeling, usually three-against-one, until the end of the movement, when another Gounod melody, Valentin's aria Avant de quitter ce lieux reappears in a kind of coda for all four players. It ends atmospherically and emotionally disconnected, however. The overall feeling is a kind of schizophrenic, opera-inspired dream.   III Young Woman in Green, Outdoors in the Sun (1909) [Worcester Art Museum, Massachusetts]   The painting, one of Cassatt's last, is very simple: just a figure, looking sideways out of the picture. The colors are pastel and yet bold - and the woman is likewise very self-assured and not in the least demure. It is eight minutes long, and is all about melody - three melodies, to be exact (Young Woman, Green, and Sunlight). No angst, no choppy rhythms, just ever-unfolding melody and lush harmonies. I quote one other French composer here, too: Debussy's song Green, from Ariettes Oubliees. 1909 would have been Debussy's heyday in Paris, and it makes perfect sense musically as well as visually to do this.   Mary Cassatt lived her last several years in near-total blindness, and as she lost visual acuity, her work became less sharply defined - something akin to late water lilies of Monet, who suffered similar vision loss. My idea of making this movement entirely melodic was compounded by having each of the three melodies appear twice, once in a pure form, and the second time in a more diffuse setting. This makes an interesting two ways form: A-B-C-A1-B1-C1.   String Quartet No.3 (Cassatt) is dedicated, with great affection and respect, to the Cassatt String Quartet, whose members have dedicated themselves in large measure to the furthering of the contemporary repertoire for quartet.