Ukulele - Grade 1

SKU: BT.MUSAM1011626

Composed by Mike Jackson. Uke'n Play Ukulele. Tuition. Book with Online Audio. Composed 2016. 48 pages. Wise Publications #MUSAM1011626. Published by Wise Publications (BT.MUSAM1011626).

ISBN 9781785582554. English.

This updated Kids  edition of the bestselling Uke'n Play Ukulele  series will get young beginners strumming, singing and playing easy songs that only feature 3 chords. Written by professional player and educator Mike Jackson , the book features his unique instant play method, some simple songs that are familiar to all children, together with downloadable play-along audio. The book opens with how to tune up, before detailing Jackson 's innovative instant play method, which kids are guaranteed to love. Once they've mastered this, Uke'n Play Ukulele For Kids  teaches 25 simple songs that are instantly-recognisable and well-known. The first few songs use justone chord, before introducing two more. Each features chord diagrams, lyrics and chord symbols, helping children learn to play the Ukulele by practising strumming the chords and getting used to finger positions, while also playing fun tunes. Songs include Row, Row, Row Your Boat, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Jingle Bells , and many more. The accompanying audio downloads will help you tune up, get familiar with the songs, then play along with a full backing band. Some songs also feature Mike 's handy hints so learning the Uke goes as smoothly as possible. Uke'n Play Supa Easy Ukulele  is a fantastic resource for the classroom, or other groups of young beginners. Featuring valuable advice for introducing children to music through the Ukulele, the book will enable them to start making music straight away. With well-known songs like  My Darling Clementine  and Michael Finnegan , this is a beginner's instant play method for kids that truly does work. Mike Jackson  is a professional Ukulele player and multi-instrumentalist who has sold over 250,000 albums and performed extensively across Australia and the rest of the world.

By Christopher Norton. Boosey and Hawkes Piano. BOOK W/CD. 140 pages. Published by Boosey and Hawkes.

Book/Online Audio Bass

SKU: HL.278436

Bass Play-Along Volume 58. By Various. Bass Play-Along. Rock, Southern Rock. Softcover Audio Online. With guitar tablature. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.278436).

ISBN 9781540029843. UPC: 888680753504. 9.0x12.0x0.219 inches.

The Bass Play-Along Series will help you play your favorite songs quickly and easily! Just follow the tab, listen to the audio to hear how the bass should sound, and then play along using the separate backing tracks. The melody and lyrics are also included in the book in case you want to sing, or to simply help you follow along. The audio is available online for download or streaming, and it is enhanced so you can adjust the recording to any tempo without changing pitch! 8 songs: Can't You See * Flirtin' with Disaster * Free Bird * Hold on Loosely * Mississippi Queen * One Way Out * Ramblin' Man * Sweet Home Alabama.

Grade 5

SKU: CL.CTS-7701-01

Composed by Claude T. Smith. Concert Band. Extra full score. Composed 1969. Claude T. Smith Publications #CTS-7701-01. Published by Claude T. Smith Publications (CL.CTS-7701-01).

Here is a work that was ahead of its time. If you are looking for a work filled with excitement and adventure, then Acclamation is your piece! Smith gets right into it with an energetic ostinato and a fragment of his original theme. The snare drumâ??s ruff is highlighted as a transition into a slow section in 6/4, with one of Smithâ??s most luscious melodies. English Horn is featured with flute in the slow section as well, but with optional cues for alto saxophone. Acclamation makes its way back to Allegro with the usual percussion section getting us to the original material. Several solos are highlighted. Well constructed and a piece to be used for contest; also one which will be enjoyed by audiences alike.

Book & Accompaniment CD

SKU: HP.9109

Arranged by Various. Book & CD. Hope Publishing Company #9109. Published by Hope Publishing Company (HP.9109).

UPC: 763628191092.

Eight Contempory Christian Songs This collection of nine treble voice vocal trios of popular settings of contemporary songs from five of today's most well-know arranger of sacred music is a perfect way to bring singing back into worship.

Grade 5

SKU: CL.CTS-7701-00

Composed by Claude T. Smith. Concert Band. Score and set of parts. Composed 1969. Claude T. Smith Publications #CTS-7701-00. Published by Claude T. Smith Publications (CL.CTS-7701-00).

Here is a work that was ahead of its time. If you are looking for a work filled with excitement and adventure, then Acclamation is your piece! Smith gets right into it with an energetic ostinato and a fragment of his original theme. The snare drum’s ruff is highlighted as a transition into a slow section in 6/4, with one of Smith’s most luscious melodies. English Horn is featured with flute in the slow section as well, but with optional cues for alto saxophone. Acclamation makes its way back to Allegro with the usual percussion section getting us to the original material. Several solos are highlighted. Well constructed and a piece to be used for contest; also one which will be enjoyed by audiences alike.

Guitar - Intermediate

SKU: MB.97224M

Composed by Dix Bruce. Blues, Improvising/Licks, Perfect binding, Saddle-stitched. Building Excellence Audio Series. Style. Book and online audio. 48 pages. Mel Bay Publications, Inc #97224M. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc (MB.97224M).

ISBN 9780786687077. 8.5 X 11 inches.

Learn to play 14 classic blues the best way--by doing. This book and online audio recording provide your backup band as you explore Country and Urban, Acoustic and Electric, Delta, Texas, Chicago, Slide Guitar, Alternate Tuning, Traditional, and Modern styles in many different major and minor keys and in a variety of tempos. Melodies are first presented on the recording at a slow speed with just guitar, then repeated at regular speed with the band. Finally, you can play along with the hot blues rhythm section alone, and youve got the makings of a dynamite blues jam session. Youll play all the leads and solos. Repeat a tune or passage as many times as you want at slow or regular speed. Well jam all night long. Beginners and intermediate players can practice basic skills. Advanced players can hone their improvisation chops. The split track recording allows you to hear either just the melody from one speaker, just the rhythm section from the other, or both for maximum flexibility and specific study. The book includes melodies, chord diagrams and guitar tablature.

Concert Band/Harmonie - Grade 4

SKU: BT.AMP-392-010

Composed by Philip Sparke. Anglo Music Midway Series. Set (Score & Parts). Composed 2014. Anglo Music Press #AMP 392-010. Published by Anglo Music Press (BT.AMP-392-010).

English-German-French- Dutch.

The work opens with a stern fanfare in bare fifths, which leads to a cantabile theme introduced by alto saxophone. This builds to a climax and reintroduces the fanfare, which slowly evolves into the subsequent vivo. A perky tune emerges on flute, saxophone and trumpet, which, after a short bridge passage, leads to a contrasting melody on low clarinets and saxophones. After some development a true ‘second subject’ appears for the whole band. A recapitulation leads briefly back to the opening fanfare before the vivo returns to close the work in celebratory mood.

Het werk begint met een sobere fanfare in open kwinten, gevolgd door een zangerig thema dat wordt ge ntroduceerd door de altsaxofoon. Dit thema groeit uit tot een climax en leidt opnieuw de fanfare in, die zich langzaam ontwikkelt tot het daaropvolgende vivo. Er verschijnt een opgewekte melodie in de fluit, saxofoon en trompet, die na een korte overgangspassage uitmondt in een contrasterende melodie in de lage klarinetten en saxofoons. Na een verdere uitwerking openbaart zich een tweede thema voor het complete orkest. Een herneming voert ons even weer mee naar de openingsfanfare, voordat het vivo terugkeert en het werk in feestelijke stemming afsluit.

Nach einer ernsten Fanfare in bloßen Quinten, die zu einem Thema in cantabile im Altsaxophon führt, taucht eine kecke Melodie in Flöte, Saxophon und Trompete auf, die nach einer kurzen Überleitung zu einer kontrastierenden Melodie in den tiefen Klarinetten und Saxophonen wird. Ein zweites Thema“ spielt das gesamte Blasorchester. Bevor ein Vivo aus dem Anfangsteil Southend Celebration beendet, werden längst alle Musiker und Zuhörer von der festlichen Stimmung, die es verbreitet, infiziert sein!

L’� ��uvre s’ouvre avec une fanfare de nature sérieuse en quintes qui mène un thème cantabile introduit par les saxophones alto. La musique s’amplifie pour atteindre un certain climax et réintroduire la fanfare, qui évolue progressivement vers un vivo. Fl tes, saxophones et trompettes introduisent un air guilleret qui, après un court passage de transition, aboutit une mélodie contrastée dans le registre grave des clarinettes et saxophones. Après un développement, un véritable second sujet apparaît pour l’orchestre entier. Une récapitulation mène une brève réapparition de la fanfare d’ouverture avant le retour du vivo, qui achève la pièce dans une ambiance de fête.

Il lavoro si apre con un’austera fanfara con quinte vuote, che porta a un tema cantabile introdotto da un saxofono contralto. Si arriva a un culmine e si introduce nuovamente la fanfara, che lentamente evolve nel ‘vivo’ successivo. Un tema vivace emerge dal flauto, dal sassofono e dalla tromba, e dopo un breve passaggio di transizione, porta a una melodia contrastante, dei clarinetti bassi e dei sassofoni. Dopo qualche sviluppo un vero ‘secondo soggetto’ sorge dall’intera banda. Una ripresa porta brevemente indietro alla fanfara, prima che il ‘vivo’ ritorni per chiudere il lavoro in modo celebrativo.

Concert Band/Harmonie - Grade 4

SKU: BT.AMP-392-140

Composed by Philip Sparke. Anglo Music Midway Series. Score Only. Composed 2014. Anglo Music Press #AMP 392-140. Published by Anglo Music Press (BT.AMP-392-140).

English-German-French- Dutch.

The work opens with a stern fanfare in bare fifths, which leads to a cantabile theme introduced by alto saxophone. This builds to a climax and reintroduces the fanfare, which slowly evolves into the subsequent vivo. A perky tune emerges on flute, saxophone and trumpet, which, after a short bridge passage, leads to a contrasting melody on low clarinets and saxophones. After some development a true ‘second subject’ appears for the whole band. A recapitulation leads briefly back to the opening fanfare before the vivo returns to close the work in celebratory mood.

Het werk begint met een sobere fanfare in open kwinten, gevolgd door een zangerig thema dat wordt ge ntroduceerd door de altsaxofoon. Dit thema groeit uit tot een climax en leidt opnieuw de fanfare in, die zich langzaam ontwikkelt tot het daaropvolgende vivo. Er verschijnt een opgewekte melodie in de fluit, saxofoon en trompet, die na een korte overgangspassage uitmondt in een contrasterende melodie in de lage klarinetten en saxofoons. Na een verdere uitwerking openbaart zich een tweede thema voor het complete orkest. Een herneming voert ons even weer mee naar de openingsfanfare, voordat het vivo terugkeert en het werk in feestelijke stemming afsluit.

Nach einer ernsten Fanfare in bloßen Quinten, die zu einem Thema in cantabile im Altsaxophon führt, taucht eine kecke Melodie in Flöte, Saxophon und Trompete auf, die nach einer kurzen Überleitung zu einer kontrastierenden Melodie in den tiefen Klarinetten und Saxophonen wird. Ein zweites Thema“ spielt das gesamte Blasorchester. Bevor ein Vivo aus dem Anfangsteil Southend Celebration beendet, werden längst alle Musiker und Zuhörer von der festlichen Stimmung, die es verbreitet, infiziert sein!

L’� ��uvre s’ouvre avec une fanfare de nature sérieuse en quintes qui mène un thème cantabile introduit par les saxophones alto. La musique s’amplifie pour atteindre un certain climax et réintroduire la fanfare, qui évolue progressivement vers un vivo. Fl tes, saxophones et trompettes introduisent un air guilleret qui, après un court passage de transition, aboutit une mélodie contrastée dans le registre grave des clarinettes et saxophones. Après un développement, un véritable second sujet apparaît pour l’orchestre entier. Une récapitulation mène une brève réapparition de la fanfare d’ouverture avant le retour du vivo, qui achève la pièce dans une ambiance de fête.

Il lavoro si apre con un’austera fanfara con quinte vuote, che porta a un tema cantabile introdotto da un saxofono contralto. Si arriva a un culmine e si introduce nuovamente la fanfara, che lentamente evolve nel ‘vivo’ successivo. Un tema vivace emerge dal flauto, dal sassofono e dalla tromba, e dopo un breve passaggio di transizione, porta a una melodia contrastante, dei clarinetti bassi e dei sassofoni. Dopo qualche sviluppo un vero ‘secondo soggetto’ sorge dall’intera banda. Una ripresa porta brevemente indietro alla fanfara, prima che il ‘vivo’ ritorni per chiudere il lavoro in modo celebrativo.

Ukulele - Grade 1

SKU: BT.MUSAM1011637

Composed by Mike Jackson. Uke'n Play Ukulele. Pop and Rock. Book with Online Audio. Composed 2016. 36 pages. Wise Publications #MUSAM1011637. Published by Wise Publications (BT.MUSAM1011637).

ISBN 9781785582585. English.

This Easy songbook edition of the bestselling Uken Play Ukulele series will get beginners of any age strumming easy chords and playing popular songs in no time. Written by professional player and educator Mike Jackson, the book features his instantplay method together with downloadable play-along audio. The book begins with how to tune up, before detailing Jacksons innovative instant play method that helps you easily remember where to put your fingers for different chords. Once youvemastered this, Uken Play Easy Ukulele teaches you the 6 chords you will need to play all the 25 songs included in this book. The songs get progressively more challenging and each feature chord diagrams, lyrics and chord symbols, helping you tolearn to play the Ukulele by practising strumming the chords while also playing 25 famous tunes. Songs include I Walk The Line, Banks Of The Ohio, Achy Breaky Heart, and many more. The accompanying audio downloads will let you tune up, hear thesongs how they should sound, then let you play along with a full backing band. Some songs feature Mikes handy hints so learning the Uke goes as smoothly as possible. If youve struggled to learn to play the Ukulele because you cant remember thechords, or you want to learn some great songs with a minimum of chords, such as Goodnight Irene and Streets Of Laredo, Uken Play Easy Ukulele is a beginners instant play method that truly does work. Mike Jackson is a professional Ukulele playerand multi-instrumentalist who has sold over 250,000 albums and performed extensively across Australia and the rest of the world.

SATB choir, piano

SKU: LO.10-5737MD

Composed by Cliff Duren. Choral. Sacred Anthem, Christmas, General. Medallion Music #10/5737MD. Published by Medallion Music (LO.10-5737MD).

ISBN 9780787777869.

This song from artist Brandon Heath arranged by Cliff Duren is in a modern folk style opening with a gentle and expressive male vocal solo. A female solo is then featured in verse two before joining together as a duet backed by choir. This arrangement is a perfect opportunity to feature two soloists in a Christmas concert or a Sunday morning choir feature or special music presentation.

Concert Band/Harmonie/Fanfare Band - Grade 2

SKU: BT.DHP-1053879-015

Composed by Christian Bouthier. Flexible 5 Series. Concert Piece. Set (Score & Parts). Composed 2005. De Haske Publications #DHP 1053879-015. Published by De Haske Publications (BT.DHP-1053879-015).

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dut ch.

The energetic activities of three craftsmen at a local crafts market inspired the composer Christian Bouthier to write this work in three movements. The clockmaker gets many curious visitors at his stand. He patiently and proudly shows the precision work of his beautiful clocks and lets all of them tick - the small ones and large ones. The cooper (barrel-maker) skillfully puts together fine-looking, sturdy barrels of the best types of wood. From afar, you can hear the cooper hammering. In the final movement things are hectic at the blacksmith because the local horse-riding society has just arrived. Many horses are provided with new shoes. The experienced blacksmith hits thehorseshoes into the proper shape on his anvil; now the horses can spiritedly trot and gallop on the way back. A fascinating new addition to the concert band repertoire.

De energieke werkzaamheden van drie ambachtslieden op een plaatselijke ambachtsmarkt inspireerden de Belgische componist Christian Bouthier tot het schrijven van The Craftsmen, een compositie in drie delen. De klokkenmaker,de kuiper (tonnenmaker) en de hoefsmid worden achtereenvolgens op ludieke wijze in de muziek weergegeven.

Zu The Craftsmen - ‘Die Handwerker’ - ließ sich Christian Bouthier beim Bummel über einen Markt inspirieren, wo alte Handwerkskünste vorgeführt wurden. In den drei Sätzen seiner Komposition werden sehr anschaulich die Klangeindrücke in Musik umgesetzt: das Ticken nostalgischer Uhren beim Uhrmacher, das Hämmern des Böttchers beim Bau von Holzfässern und schließlich das Schlagen der Hufeisen, bevor der Hufschmied die Pferde beschlägt. Ein Werk der Reihe Flexible 5 für eine fünfstimmig variable Besetzung, an dem Musiker und Publikum ihre Freude haben werden!

Séduit par l’authenticité et le charme d’un marché artisanal, Christian Bouthier s’est inspiré du savoir-faire de trois artisans pour composer cette suite en trois mouvements. l’ombre des platanes, ils font et refont devant un public nombreux et passionné, ces gestes ancestraux qui donnent naissance tant de belles choses. Découvrez les traditions perpétuées par l’artisan horloger, le tonnelier et le maréchal-ferrant.

Affascinato dall’originalit e dallo charme di un mercato di artigiani, per comporre questa suite in tre movimenti, Christian Bouthier si è ispirato al “savoir-faire� � di tre artigiani. All’ombra dei platani, dinnanzi ad un pubblico numeroso ed appassionato, gli artigiani eseguono e ripetono gesti ancestrali che danno vita a oggetti unici. Scoprite le tradizioni attraverso un orologiaio, un bottaio e un fabbro.

Concert Band - Grade 2

SKU: BT.DHP-1053879-040

Composed by Christian Bouthier. Flexible 5 Series. Concert Piece. Set (Score & Parts). Composed 2005. De Haske Publications #DHP 1053879-040. Published by De Haske Publications (BT.DHP-1053879-040).

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dut ch.

The energetic activities of three craftsmen at a local crafts market inspired the composer Christian Bouthier to write this work in three movements. The clockmaker gets many curious visitors at his stand. He patiently and proudly shows the precision work of his beautiful clocks and lets all of them tick - the small ones and large ones. The cooper (barrel-maker) skillfully puts together fine-looking, sturdy barrels of the best types of wood. From afar, you can hear the cooper hammering. In the final movement things are hectic at the blacksmith because the local horse-riding society has just arrived. Many horses are provided with new shoes. The experienced blacksmith hits thehorseshoes into the proper shape on his anvil; now the horses can spiritedly trot and gallop on the way back. A fascinating new addition to the concert band repertoire.

De energieke werkzaamheden van drie ambachtslieden op een plaatselijke ambachtsmarkt inspireerden de Belgische componist Christian Bouthier tot het schrijven van The Craftsmen, een compositie in drie delen. De klokkenmaker,de kuiper (tonnenmaker) en de hoefsmid worden achtereenvolgens op ludieke wijze in de muziek weergegeven.

Zu The Craftsmen - ‘Die Handwerker’ - ließ sich Christian Bouthier beim Bummel über einen Markt inspirieren, wo alte Handwerkskünste vorgeführt wurden. In den drei Sätzen seiner Komposition werden sehr anschaulich die Klangeindrücke in Musik umgesetzt: das Ticken nostalgischer Uhren beim Uhrmacher, das Hämmern des Böttchers beim Bau von Holzfässern und schließlich das Schlagen der Hufeisen, bevor der Hufschmied die Pferde beschlägt. Ein Werk der Reihe Flexible 5 für eine fünfstimmig variable Besetzung, an dem Musiker und Publikum ihre Freude haben werden!

Séduit par l’authenticité et le charme d’un marché artisanal, Christian Bouthier s’est inspiré du savoir-faire de trois artisans pour composer cette suite en trois mouvements. l’ombre des platanes, ils font et refont devant un public nombreux et passionné, ces gestes ancestraux qui donnent naissance tant de belles choses. Découvrez les traditions perpétuées par l’artisan horloger, le tonnelier et le maréchal-ferrant.

Affascinato dall’originalit e dallo charme di un mercato di artigiani, per comporre questa suite in tre movimenti, Christian Bouthier si è ispirato al “savoir-faire� � di tre artigiani. All’ombra dei platani, dinnanzi ad un pubblico numeroso ed appassionato, gli artigiani eseguono e ripetono gesti ancestrali che danno vita a oggetti unici. Scoprite le tradizioni attraverso un orologiaio, un bottaio e un fabbro.

Book/Online Audio Bass

SKU: HL.294992

Bass Play-Along Volume 4. By Various. Bass Play-Along. Alternative, Pop, Rock. Softcover Audio Online. With guitar tablature. 64 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.294992).

ISBN 9781540054913. UPC: 888680944636. 9.0x12.0x0.168 inches.

The Bass Play-Along series will help you play your favorite songs quickly and easily! Just follow the tab, listen to the online audio to hear how the bass should sound, and then play along using the separate backing tracks. The melody and lyrics are included in the book in case you want to sing, or to simply help you follow along. The online audio is available for streaming or download using the unique access code printed inside the cover. This second edition includes: Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden) * Buddy Holly (Weezer) * Creep (Radiohead) * Give It Away (Red Hot Chili Peppers) * In Bloom (Nirvana) * Jeremy (Pearl Jam) * Killing in the Name (Rage Against the Machine) * You Oughta Know (Alanis Morissette).

String quartet String Quartet

SKU: PR.16400272S

Cassatt. Composed by Dan Welcher. Premiere: Cassatt Quartet, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL. Contemporary. Full score. With Standard notation. Composed 2007. WRT11142. 52 pages. Duration 24 minutes. Theodore Presser Company #164-00272S. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.16400272S).

UPC: 680160588442. 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.

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.

By Jean-Baptiste Arban. Arranged by Claude Egea. For Bb Trumpet, Cornet, Euphonium, Saxhorn or any Bb instrument. Instructional method, Play along, Classical, Educational, Jazz. Book and accompaniment CD. 32 pages. Published by FLEX Editions