27 Christmas Favorites - Includes A Play-Along CD in Today's Musical Styles (Flu...(+)
27 Christmas Favorites -
Includes A Play-Along CD
in Today's Musical Styles
(Flute Book). By Benjamin
R. Hanby; Felix
Mendelssohn Bartholdy;
Franz Gruber; George
Frideric Handel; James
Pierpont; James R.
Murray; John Francis
Wade; John Henry Hopkins;
Lewis Redner; Richard
Storrs Willis;
Theodoricus Petrus Of
Nyland; Thomas Helmore.
Arranged by Sandy
Feldstein. Text: Charles
Wesley; Edmund H. Sears;
John Francis Wade; John
Mason Neale; Joseph Mohr;
Phillips Brooks. For
Flute. Score and Audio
CD. 32 pages. Published
by Carl Fischer. (O5543)
Composed by Doug Spata.
Folio. Cas. Set of Score
and Parts. 8+5+5+5+8+8
pages. Duration 4
minutes, 6 seconds. Carl
Fischer Music #CAS131.
Published by Carl Fischer
Music (CF.CAS131).
ISBN 9781491157671.
UPC: 680160916252. 9 x 12
inches.
The
yearning, Irish-inspired
melodies in A Ballad of
Inis Mor evoke a sense of
quiet reflection. The
poignant theme beings in
the cello section, rising
through the sections amid
flowing accompaniments
that ebb and flow with
expressive dynamic and
tempo changes. Students
will encounter
opportunities to play in
upper positions, using a
warm vibrato and refining
bow distribution skills.
Graceful embellishments,
part independence, and a
variety of rhythms will
encourage listening
across the ensemble to
create an elegant,
unified sound. The
yearning, Irish-inspired
melodies in A Ballad of
Inis Mór evoke a sense
of quiet reflection. The
poignant theme beings in
the cello section, rising
through the sections amid
flowing accompaniments
that ebb and flow with
expressive dynamic and
tempo changes. Students
will encounter
opportunities to play in
upper positions, using a
warm vibrato and refining
bow distribution skills.
Graceful embellishments,
part independence, and a
variety of rhythms will
encourage listening
across the ensemble to
create an elegant,
unified sound.
About Carl
Fischer Concert String
Orchestra
Series
Thi
s series of pieces (Grade
3 and higher) is designed
for advancing ensembles.
The pieces in this series
are characterized
by:
Expanded use
of rhythms, ranges and
keys but technical
demands are still
carefully
considered
More
comprehensive bowing
techniques
Viola
T.C.
included
Careful
selection of keys and
degree of difficulty for
advancing
musicians
Composed by Doug Spata.
Sws. Cas. Full score. 8
pages. Carl Fischer Music
#CAS131F. Published by
Carl Fischer Music
(CF.CAS131F).
ISBN
9781491157497. UPC:
680160916078. 9 x 12
inches.
The
yearning, Irish-inspired
melodies in A Ballad of
Inis Mor evoke a sense of
quiet reflection. The
poignant theme beings in
the cello section, rising
through the sections amid
flowing accompaniments
that ebb and flow with
expressive dynamic and
tempo changes. Students
will encounter
opportunities to play in
upper positions, using a
warm vibrato and refining
bow distribution skills.
Graceful embellishments,
part independence, and a
variety of rhythms will
encourage listening
across the ensemble to
create an elegant,
unified sound. The
yearning, Irish-inspired
melodies in A Ballad of
Inis Mór evoke a sense
of quiet reflection. The
poignant theme beings in
the cello section, rising
through the sections amid
flowing accompaniments
that ebb and flow with
expressive dynamic and
tempo changes. Students
will encounter
opportunities to play in
upper positions, using a
warm vibrato and refining
bow distribution skills.
Graceful embellishments,
part independence, and a
variety of rhythms will
encourage listening
across the ensemble to
create an elegant,
unified sound.
About Carl
Fischer Concert String
Orchestra
Series
Thi
s series of pieces (Grade
3 and higher) is designed
for advancing ensembles.
The pieces in this series
are characterized
by:
Expanded use
of rhythms, ranges and
keys but technical
demands are still
carefully
considered
More
comprehensive bowing
techniques
Viola
T.C.
included
Careful
selection of keys and
degree of difficulty for
advancing
musicians
Early Vocal Music - 1899-1909. By Anton Von Webern; Ferdinand Avenarius. Edited ...(+)
Early Vocal Music -
1899-1909. By Anton Von
Webern; Ferdinand
Avenarius. Edited by
Matthew R. Shaftel.
Arranged by Matthew R.
Shaftel. Text: Detlev Von
Liliencron; Ferdinand
Avenarius; Freidrich
Nietzche; Gustav Falke;
Hans Bohm; J.W. Von
Goethe; Martin Greif;
Matthew R. Shaftel;
Matthias Claudius;
Richard Dehmel; Stefan
George; Wilhelm Weigand.
For Piano Solo, Voice.
Masters Collection.
Piano/Vocal Score. 92
pages. Published by Carl
Fischer.
Composed by Henry Brant (1913-). Arranged by Elizabeth Ames. For Alto Saxophone,...(+)
Composed by Henry Brant
(1913-). Arranged by
Elizabeth Ames. For Alto
Saxophone, Piano
reduction. Contemporary.
Solo part with piano
reduction. Standard
notation. 36 12 pages.
Published by Carl Fischer
Trumpet in B-Flat with Piano Accompaniment On CD. By Johann Sebastian Bach. Arra...(+)
Trumpet in B-Flat with
Piano Accompaniment On
CD. By Johann Sebastian
Bach. Arranged by H. R.
Kent. For Trumpet Solo,
Piano. Carl Fischer CD
Solo Series. Score and
Audio CD. 3 pages.
Published by Carl
Fischer.
Golden Friendships Orchestre d'harmonie [Conducteur et Parties séparées] Carl Fischer
Composed by Henry Fillmore (1881-1958). Edited by Robert E. Foster. Concert Band...(+)
Composed by Henry
Fillmore (1881-1958).
Edited by Robert E.
Foster. Concert Band. For
Piccolo, Flute, Oboe,
Clarinet (in Eb),
Clarinet I, Clarinet II,
Clarinet III, Bass
Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto
Saxophone I, Alto
Saxophone II, Tenor
Saxophone, Baritone
Saxophone, Trumpet I,
Trumpet II, Trumpet III,
Trumpet IV, Horn I, Horn
II, Horn III, Hor. Henry
Fillmore Band Series (An
Authentic Fillmore
Edition). Score and Set
of Parts. Standard
notation. 28 pages.
Published by Carl Fischer
Vocal Solos for the Christmas Season. By Cherry Tadlock. Edited by Cherry Tadloc...(+)
Vocal Solos for the
Christmas Season. By
Cherry Tadlock. Edited by
Cherry Tadlock. Arranged
by Cherry Tadlock. For
Voice, Piano. Piano/Vocal
Score. 32 pages.
Published by Carl
Fischer.
By Ludwig van Beethoven. Edited by Marvin Blickenstaff. Arranged by Marvin Blick...(+)
By Ludwig van Beethoven.
Edited by Marvin
Blickenstaff. Arranged by
Marvin Blickenstaff. For
Piano Solo. Basic Piano
Literature. Classical.
Solo part. 48 pages.
Published by Carl
Fischer.
Composed by Giovanni Francesco Anerio. Arranged by Mike Ware. For SATB choir. Oc...(+)
Composed by Giovanni
Francesco Anerio.
Arranged by Mike Ware.
For SATB choir. Octavo.
12 pages. Duration 2
minutes, 41 seconds.
Published by Carl Fischer
The Melodies Piano seul [Partie seule] Carl Fischer
For Piano(Themes and Melodies from Famous Compositions). Arranged by Maxwell Eck...(+)
For Piano(Themes and
Melodies from Famous
Compositions). Arranged
by Maxwell Eckstein. For
Piano Solo. Classical.
Solo part. 48 pages.
Published by Carl
Fischer.
(For SAB Voices with Keyboard). By Anonymous. Arranged by Crawford R. Thoburn. M...(+)
(For SAB Voices with
Keyboard). By Anonymous.
Arranged by Crawford R.
Thoburn. Mixed chorus.
For SAB, Keyboard. Music
of Crawford Thoburn.
Choral. Piano/Vocal
Score. Standard notation.
8 pages
Choral TB chorus with Piano and optional Solos SKU: CF.CM9591 Composed by...(+)
Choral TB chorus with
Piano and optional Solos
SKU: CF.CM9591
Composed by Franz
Schubert. Arranged by
Susan Thrift. Fold.
Performance Score. 8
pages. Duration 1 minute,
37 seconds. Carl Fischer
Music #CM9591. Published
by Carl Fischer Music
(CF.CM9591).
ISBN
9781491154137. UPC:
680160912636. 6.875 x
10.5 inches. Key: Bb
major. Italian. Gedicht
Goldoni.
Original.
There is
not a lot written about
the history of La
Pastorella by
Austrias classical
composer, Franz Schubert
(17971828). An extremely
prolific writer, Schubert
died before his
thirty-second birthday.
With lyrics from the
libretto Il filosofo
di campagna by Carlo
Goldoni (17071793), this
simple, charming part
song about a little
shepherd girl, was
originally written for
four-part male chorus and
piano and is believed to
have been written
sometime between 1813 and
1817. Be careful not to
sing with too much weight
in the voice so that you
dont get bogged down in
the sixteenth note runs.
I would suggest speaking
the Italian words in
rhythm many times before
singing them in rhythm.
Once youve learned it,
youll find it very
rewarding to sing.
PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION La
pastorella al prato
contenta se ne va
lah
pah-stoh-REHL-lah ahl
PRAH-toh kohn-TEHN-tah
seh neh vah
Collagnellino a lato
Cantando in liberta
kohl-ah-neh-LEE-n
oh ah LAH-toh
kahn-TAHN-doh een
lee-behr-TAH Se
linnocente amore Gradisce
il se
lee-noh-CHEN-teh
ah-MOH-re
grah-DEE-sheh il
suo pastore eel
SOO-oh
pah-STOH-reh La
bella pastorella contenta
ognor sara lah
BEHL-lah
pah-stoh-REHL-lah
kohn-TEHN-tah oh-nor
sah-RAH NOTE:
All R's should be
flipped, not
rolled. There is not a
lot written about the
history of La
Pastorella by
Austriaas classical
composer, Franz Schubert
(1797a1828). An extremely
prolific writer, Schubert
died before his
thirty-second birthday.
With lyrics from the
libretto Il filosofo
di campagna by Carlo
Goldoni (1707a1793), this
simple, charming part
song about a little
shepherd girl, was
originally written for
four-part male chorus and
piano and is believed to
have been written
sometime between 1813 and
1817. Be careful not to
sing with too much weight
in the voice so that you
donat get bogged down in
the sixteenth note runs.
I would suggest speaking
the Italian words in
rhythm many times before
singing them in rhythm.
Once youave learned it,
youall find it very
rewarding to sing.
PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION
LaA A pastorellaA A A A A
A A A A A A A A alA A A A
pratoA A A A A contentaA
A A A A A A A seA A neA A
va lah
pah-stoh-REHL-lah ahlA
PRAH-toh kohn-TEHN-tah
seh neh vah
CollaagnellinoA A A A A A
A A A A A aA A A A latoA
A A A A A CantandoA A A A
A A A A inA A A A libertA
kohl-ah-A+-eh-LEE
-nohA ah LAH-tohA A
kahn-TAHN-doh een
lee-behr-TAH Se
lainnocente amore
Gradisce il se
lee-noh-CHEN-teh
ah-MOH-re
grah-DEE-sheh
ilA A A A suoA A A A A A
pastore eel
SOO-ohA
pah-STOH-reh LaA
bellaA A A A A A A A
pastorellaA A A A A A A A
A A A A A contentaA A A A
A A A A A ognorA A A sarA
lah BEHL-lahA
pah-stoh-REHL-lahA
kohn-TEHN-tahA A oh-A+-or
sah-RAH NOTE:
All R's should be
flipped, not
rolled. There is not a
lot written about the
history of La
Pastorella by
Austria's classical
composer, Franz Schubert
(1797-1828). An extremely
prolific writer, Schubert
died before his
thirty-second birthday.
With lyrics from the
libretto Il filosofo
di campagna by Carlo
Goldoni (1707-1793), this
simple, charming part
song about a little
shepherd girl, was
originally written for
four-part male chorus and
piano and is believed to
have been written
sometime between 1813 and
1817. Be careful not to
sing with too much weight
in the voice so that you
don't get bogged down in
the sixteenth note runs.
I would suggest speaking
the Italian words in
rhythm many times before
singing them in rhythm.
Once you've learned it,
you'll find it very
rewarding to sing.
PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION La
pastorella al prato
contenta se ne va
lah
pah-stoh-REHL-lah ahl
PRAH-toh kohn-TEHN-tah
seh neh vah
Coll'agnellino a lato
Cantando in liberta
kohl-ah-neh-LEE-n
oh ah LAH-toh
kahn-TAHN-doh een
lee-behr-TAH Se
l'innocente amore
Gradisce il se
lee-noh-CHEN-teh
ah-MOH-re
grah-DEE-sheh il
suo pastore eel
SOO-oh
pah-STOH-reh La
bella pastorella contenta
ognor sara lah
BEHL-lah
pah-stoh-REHL-lah
kohn-TEHN-tah oh-nor
sah-RAH NOTE:
All R's should be
flipped, not
rolled. There is not a
lot written about the
history of La Pastorella
by Austria's classical
composer, Franz Schubert
(1797-1828). An extremely
prolific writer, Schubert
died before his
thirty-second birthday.
With lyrics from the
libretto Il filosofo di
campagna by Carlo Goldoni
(1707-1793), this simple,
charming part song about
a little shepherd girl,
was originally written
for four-part male chorus
and piano and is believed
to have been written
sometime between 1813 and
1817. Be careful not to
sing with too much weight
in the voice so that you
don't get bogged down in
the sixteenth note runs.
I would suggest speaking
the Italian words in
rhythm many times before
singing them in rhythm.
Once you've learned it,
you'll find it very
rewarding to sing.
PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION La
pastorella al prato
contenta se ne va lah
pah-stoh-REHL-lah ahl
PRAH-toh kohn-TEHN-tah
seh neh vah
Coll'agnellino a lato
Cantando in liberta
kohl-ah-neh-LEE-noh ah
LAH-toh kahn-TAHN-doh een
lee-behr-TAH Se
l'innocente amore
Gradisce il se
lee-noh-CHEN-teh
ah-MOH-re grah-DEE-sheh
il suo pastore eel SOO-oh
pah-STOH-reh La bella
pastorella contenta ognor
sara lah BEHL-lah
pah-stoh-REHL-lah
kohn-TEHN-tah oh-nor
sah-RAH NOTE: All R's
should be flipped, not
rolled. There is not a
lot written about the
history of La Pastorella
by Austria’s
classical composer, Franz
Schubert
(1797–1828). An
extremely prolific
writer, Schubert died
before his thirty-second
birthday. With lyrics
from the libretto Il
filosofo di campagna by
Carlo Goldoni
(1707–1793), this
simple, charming part
song about a little
shepherd girl, was
originally written for
four-part male chorus and
piano and is believed to
have been written
sometime between 1813 and
1817.Be careful not to
sing with too much weight
in the voice so that you
don’t get bogged
down in the sixteenth
note runs. I would
suggest speaking the
Italian words in rhythm
many times before singing
them in rhythm. Once
you’ve learned it,
you’ll find it
very rewarding to
sing.PHONETIC
PRONUNCIATIONLa Â
pastorella  Â
    Â
   Â
 al  Â
 prato  Â
  contentaÂ
    Â
  se Â
ne  valah
pah-stoh-REHL-lah ahlÂ
PRAH-toh kohn-TEHN-tah
seh neh
vahColl’agnellino
   Â
    Â
 a  Â
 lato  Â
  Â
Cantando  Â
    Â
in  Â
 libertà kohl-ah-Ã
eh-LEE-noh ah
LAH-tohÂ
 kahn-TAHN-doh een
lee-behr-TAHSe
l’innocente amore
Gradisce ilse
lee-noh-CHEN-teh
ah-MOH-re
grah-DEE-shehil Â
  suo Â
  Â
 pastoreeel SOO-ohÂ
pah-STOH-rehLaÂ
bella   Â
  Â
 pastorella Â
    Â
    Â
 contenta Â
    Â
  ognor Â
 sarà lah
BEHL-lahÂ
pah-stoh-REHL-lahÂ
kohn-TEHN-tahÂ
 oh-ñor
sah-RAHNOTE: All R's
should be flipped, not
rolled.
Chamber Music Cello,
Flute, Viola 1, Viola 2,
Violin
SKU:
CF.MXE219
Composed by
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Arranged by Robert
Stallman. Sws.
56+16+16+16+16+12 pages.
Carl Fischer Music
#MXE219. Published by
Carl Fischer Music
(CF.MXE219).
ISBN
9781491157794. UPC:
680160916399. 9 x 12
inches.
Choral Piano, SA Voices, optional Violin SKU: CF.CM9427 I Will Be....(+)
Choral Piano, SA Voices,
optional Violin
SKU:
CF.CM9427
I Will
Be. Composed by Lee
R. Kesselman. SWS.
Performance. With
Standard notation. 20
pages. Duration 3
minutes, 58 seconds. Carl
Fischer Music #CM9427.
Published by Carl Fischer
Music (CF.CM9427).
ISBN 9781491142356.
UPC: 680160630417. 6.875
x 10.5 inches. Text: Lee
R. Kesselman. Lee R.
Kesselman.
Lee R.
Kesselman is known for
his unique choral
writing. Ani Ehh'yeh is a
memorial laden with
opportunities for
dramatic expression,
contrasting moods, and
expressive singing. With
or without the violin,
the music and text in
both English and Hebrew
will captivate
audiences.
Jubilate Agno.
Composed by Z. Randall
Stroope. 16 pages.
Duration 0:03:05. Carl
Fischer Music #CM9735.
Published by Carl Fischer
Music (CF.CM9735).
ISBN 9781491161159.
UPC: 680160919741. Key: A
minor. Latin, English.
Christopher Smart and
ZRS.
Origins of the
Tarantella The tarantella
is a popular southern
Italian dance with
origins in the 11th
century. (There is even
some mention of the
tarantella in ancient
Greek mythology.) Of the
possible sources of the
dance, the most popular
comes from the villages
of Tanto and Tarentum
(little spider), Italy.
During harvest, workers
in the field were
sometimes bitten by the
tarantula spider. To
combat the poison, the
afflicted workers went
into a frenetic, almost
musical exorcism to sweat
the venom out of their
pores. In the millennium
since, the very energetic
nature of the dance has
remained, although the
curative focus of the
dance has given way to
more enjoyable endeavors,
even stately courtship.
Origins of the Text
Christopher Smart
(1722-1771), also known
as Kit Smart or Jack
Smart, was born in Kent,
England and suffered from
what is now believed to
be acute asthma and other
health issues as a child.
As such, he did not work
in the fields, but spent
much time reading and
writing, a passion that
he nurtured for a
lifetime. Well known in
London literary circles,
his career as a writer
floundered due to
mounting debts and his
falling out of favor with
the literary
establishment: Sadly, he
was forced to confinement
at St. Luke's Hospital
for Lunatics, though this
was based on his mounting
debt, and not on
insanity. (Confinement,
or debtor's prison, was
common during this period
if one's debts could not
be paid.) During his
confinement, he worked on
two of his most famous
works, Jubilate Agno and
A Song of David. (Part of
Jubilate Agno [Rejoice in
the Lamb] was set to
music by English
composer, Benjamin
Britten.) Smart's writing
style (which, at times,
bordered on the absurd),
along with his many
obsessions, lead to
frequent misperceptions
of his work and his
lucidity. In this present
work, portions of Smart's
Jubilate Agno were used
in mm. 24-31, 103-110 and
149-156. The remaining
text was gathered by the
composer, including the
rapid, almost
patter-like, delivery of
words from A-Z in the
alphabet. (Christopher
Smart had a preoccupation
with the alphabet.) These
words both rhyme and
accentuate the frenetic
nature of the spider
dance: theraphosa
[teh-rah-fo-sa] a genus
of tarantula spiders
bellicose
[beh-lee-ko-sah] hostile;
aggressive odiosa
[o-dee-o-sa] hateful;
vexation tenebrosa
[teh-neh-bro-sa]
creeping; dark nemorosa
[neh-mo-ro-sa] wooded;
shady lapidosa
[lah-pee-do-sa] stony
area; gritty The
convergence, then, of the
medieval tarantella
(spider dance), the
writings of a brilliant
poet who bordered on the
absurd, and the infusion
of strong, descriptive
and otherwise random,
rhyming words,
synthesizes to make
dramatic lyrics for this
work. About the Composer
Z. Randall Stroope is an
American composer and
conductor. He has served
as Professor of Music at
three universities (an
Endowed Professor at
two), conducted 47
all-state choirs, and
directed over 40 times at
Carnegie Hall, among
other American venues.
Randall guest conducts
full-time, and composes
from his home studios on
Merritt Island, Florida
and in Sandia Park, New
Mexico. Performance Notes
Text: In Latin, the r is
flipped; use s instead of
z on endings such as
phosa, cosa, and so on;
the Latin o is a cross
between oh and aw; in the
transliteration above, I
chose to simply use an o
for consistency. The
director will blend the
oh and aw in the
rehearsals to his/her own
preference. Lastly,
tarantula is pronounced
tah-rah-n-too-lah (avoid
teh-ran-choo-luh) within
the confines of this
text. Stomp: This can be
done by the entire
chorus, or just the first
row. It is as much visual
as it is auditory. The
string quartet is
preferred over piano when
that option affords
itself. I created a piano
score that is a viable
option and included it in
the piano/vocal score if
a performance uses
chorus/piano. The
tarantella is a popular
southern Italian dance
with origins in the 11th
century. (There is even
some mention of the
tarantella in ancient
Greek mythology.) Of the
possible sources of the
dance, the most popular
comes from the villages
of Tanto and Tarentum
(“little
spiderâ€), Italy.
During harvest, workers
in the field were
sometimes bitten by the
tarantula spider. To
combat the
“poison,†the
afflicted workers went
into a frenetic, almost
musical exorcism to sweat
the venom out of their
pores. In the millennium
since, the very energetic
nature of the dance has
remained, although the
curative focus of the
dance has given way to
more enjoyable endeavors,
even stately
courtship.Christopher
Smart (1722-1771), also
known as “Kit
Smart†or
“Jack Smart,â€
was born in Kent, England
and suffered from what is
now believed to be acute
asthma and other health
issues as a child. As
such, he did not work in
the fields, but spent
much time reading and
writing, a passion that
he nurtured for a
lifetime. Well known in
London literary circles,
his career as a writer
floundered due to
mounting debts and his
falling out of favor with
the literary
establishment: Sadly, he
was forced to confinement
at St. Luke’s
Hospital for Lunatics,
though this was based on
his mounting debt, and
not on insanity.
(Confinement, or
debtor’s prison,
was common during this
period if one’s
debts could not be paid.)
During his confinement,
he worked on two of his
most famous works,
Jubilate Agno and A Song
of David. (Part of
Jubilate Agno
[“Rejoice in the
Lambâ€] was set to
music by English
composer, Benjamin
Britten.) Smart’s
writing style (which, at
times, bordered on the
absurd), along with his
many obsessions, lead to
frequent misperceptions
of his work and his
lucidity. In this present
work, portions of
Smart’s Jubilate
Agno were used in mm.
24-31, 103-110 and
149-156. The remaining
text was gathered by the
composer, including the
rapid, almost
patter-like, delivery of
words from A-Z in the
alphabet. (Christopher
Smart had a preoccupation
with the alphabet.) These
words both rhyme and
accentuate the frenetic
nature of the spider
dance:The convergence,
then, of the medieval
tarantella (spider
dance), the writings of a
brilliant poet who
bordered on the absurd,
and the infusion of
strong, descriptive and
otherwise random, rhyming
words, synthesizes to
make dramatic lyrics for
this work.Z. Randall
Stroope is an American
composer and conductor.
He has served as
Professor of Music at
three universities (an
Endowed Professor at
two), conducted 47
all-state choirs, and
directed over 40 times at
Carnegie Hall, among
other American venues.
Randall guest conducts
full-time, and composes
from his home studios on
Merritt Island, Florida
and in Sandia Park, New
Mexico. In Latin, the
“r†is
flipped; use
“s†instead
of “z†on
endings such as
“phosa,â€
“cosa,†and
so on; the Latin
“o†is a
cross between
“oh†and
“awâ€; in the
transliteration above, I
chose to simply use an
“o†for
consistency. The director
will blend the
“oh†and
“aw†in the
rehearsals to his/her own
preference. Lastly,
“tarantulaâ€
is pronounced
“tah-rah-n-too-lah
€ (avoid
“teh-ran-choo-luhâ
€) within the
confines of this
text.Stomp: This can be
done by the entire
chorus, or just the first
row. It is as much visual
as it is auditory. The
string quartet is
preferred over piano when
that option affords
itself. I created a piano
score that is a viable
option and included it in
the piano/vocal score if
a performance uses
chorus/piano. The
tarantella is a popular
southern Italian dance
with origins in the 11th
century. (There is even
some mention of the
tarantella in ancient
Greek mythology.) Of the
possible sources of the
dance, the most popular
comes from the villages
of Tanto and Tarentum
(“little
spiderâ€), Italy.
During harvest, workers
in the field were
sometimes bitten by the
tarantula spider. To
combat the
“poison,†the
afflicted workers went
into a frenetic, almost
musical exorcism to sweat
the venom out of their
pores. In the millennium
since, the very energetic
nature of the dance has
remained, although the
curative focus of the
dance has given way to
more enjoyable endeavors,
even stately
courtship.Christopher
Smart (1722-1771), also
known as “Kit
Smart†or
“Jack Smart,â€
was born in Kent, England
and suffered from what is
now believed to be acute
asthma and other health
issues as a child. As
such, he did not work in
the fields, but spent
much time reading and
writing, a passion that
he nurtured for a
lifetime. Well known in
London literary circles,
his career as a writer
floundered due to
mounting debts and his
falling out of favor with
the literary
establishment: Sadly, he
was forced to confinement
at St. Luke’s
Hospital for Lunatics,
though this was based on
his mounting debt, and
not on insanity.
(Confinement, or
debtor’s prison,
was common during this
period if one’s
debts could not be paid.)
During his confinement,
he worked on two of his
most famous works,
Jubilate Agno and A Song
of David. (Part of
Jubilate Agno
[“Rejoice in the
Lambâ€] was set to
music by English
composer, Benjamin
Britten.) Smart’s
writing style (which, at
times, bordered on the
absurd), along with his
many obsessions, lead to
frequent misperceptions
of his work and his
lucidity. In this present
work, portions of
Smart’s Jubilate
Agno were used in mm.
24-31, 103-110 and
149-156. The remaining
text was gathered by the
composer, including the
rapid, almost
patter-like, delivery of
words from A-Z in the
alphabet. (Christopher
Smart had a preoccupation
with the alphabet.) These
words both rhyme and
accentuate the frenetic
nature of the spider
dance:The convergence,
then, of the medieval
tarantella (spider
dance), the writings of a
brilliant poet who
bordered on the absurd,
and the infusion of
strong, descriptive and
otherwise random, rhyming
words, synthesizes to
make dramatic lyrics for
this work.Z. Randall
Stroope is an American
composer and conductor.
He has served as
Professor of Music at
three universities (an
Endowed Professor at
two), conducted 47
all-state choirs, and
directed over 40 times at
Carnegie Hall, among
other American venues.
Randall guest conducts
full-time, and composes
from his home studios on
Merritt Island, Florida
and in Sandia Park, New
Mexico.In Latin, the
“r†is
flipped; use
“s†instead
of “z†on
endings such as
“phosa,â€
“cosa,†and
so on; the Latin
“o†is a
cross between
“oh†and
“awâ€; in the
transliteration above, I
chose to simply use an
“o†for
consistency. The director
will blend the
“oh†and
“aw†in the
rehearsals to his/her own
preference. Lastly,
“tarantulaâ€
is pronounced
“tah-rah-n-too-lah
€ (avoid
“teh-ran-choo-luhâ
€) within the
confines of this
text.Stomp: This can be
done by the entire
chorus, or just the first
row. It is as much visual
as it is auditory. The
string quartet is
preferred over piano when
that option affords
itself. I created a piano
score that is a viable
option and included it in
the piano/vocal score if
a performance uses
chorus/piano.