(The Drummer's Guide to the Genre and the Legends Who Defined It). By Rich Lackowski and John O'Reilly, Jr.. For Drumset. Artist/Personality; Book; CD; Method/Instruction; Percussion - Drum Set Method or Collection. On the Beaten Path. Jazz. 108 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing

The Drummer's Guide to Musical Styles and the Legends Who Defined Them. By Rich Lackowski. For Drum Set. Percussion - Drum Set Method or Collection. Instructional Book and Examples CD. 244 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing.

Arranged by Mark Hayes. For 2 trumpets, 2 trombones,2 alto and 2 tenor saxes, baritone sax, rhythm,percussion, score. Choral Octavo. Choral Designs. Spiritual. Instrumental Parts. Published by Alfred Publishing.

Arranged by Mark Hayes. For Choir. (SATB). Choral Octavo. Spiritual. Level: Level 5 (grade L5). Choral Octavo. 16 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing.

Arranged by Mark Hayes. For Choir. (SSAA). Choral Octavo. Choral Octavo. 16 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing.

Arranged by Mark Hayes. For Choir. Choral Octavo. Spiritual. Accompaniment and performance CD. Published by Alfred Publishing.

(A Musical Masque After Shakespeare). By Alfred Reed. Score and full set of parts. Hal Leonard Concert Band Series. Grade 4. Published by E.B. Marks Music.

Composed by Mark Sirett (1952-). For SATB choir with piano. Canadian Folk Song. Octavo. Published by Cypress Choral Music

Nashville First Baptist Church Choral Series. Composed by Mark Hayes (1953-). Shawnee Sacred. General Worship, Sacred. Octavo. 12 pages. Published by Shawnee Press

Composed by Mark Kailana Nelson. Squareback saddle stitch. Book and online audio. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc (MB.30065M).

Composed by Mark Kailana Nelson. Ukulele: Soprano,Solos, Duets and Ensembles. Book and Online Audio. 92 pages. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc

(50 Current Rock and Pop Hits). For Guitar. This edition: Guitar TAB Edition. Artist/Personality; Book; Guitar Mixed Folio; Guitar TAB. The Guitar Collection. Pop; Pop/Rock; Rock. 256 pages. Published by Alfred Music

Band Bass Clarinet, Bass Drum, Bass Trombone, Bassoon, Bells, Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2, Crash Cymbals, Euphonium, Euphonium T.C., Flute 1, Flute 2, Horn, Mallet Percussion, Oboe, Percussion 1, Percussion 2, Snare Drum, Timpani, Trombone, Trumpet 1 and more. - Grade 1

SKU: CF.BPS137F

Composed by Michael Boo. Sws. Bps. Full score. 16 pages. Duration 2:20. Carl Fischer Music #BPS137F. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.BPS137F).

ISBN 9781491158494. UPC: 680160917099. 9 x 12 inches.

Fanfare and Jubilation is a Grade 1 work that is playable by any beginning band with any instrumentation due to extensive doubling. The mood is regal and optimistic and is non-programmatic, conveying no picturesque image or storyline. It is appropriate for any occasion. Accents are to be emphasized more than non-accented notes, but are not to be hammered hard. Stress that accented notes are to be played with the same good tone as the other notes and that pitches should not suffer from the additional emphasis. Think of the accents as more of an additional emphasis from the air column and not the tongue. Percussion accents are to played with more emphasis than non-accented notes, but shouldnat be perceived as being much louder. Timpani is only two pitches and is optional. The piece will not suffer at all if you donat have access to Timpani or a timpanist. Bells cover a wide rangea|the lower octave sections should not be played louder just because theyare low pitched, as those notes will still be appropriately heard while supporting the melody. Do not use brass mallets. Balter 10 Phenolic mallets or equivalent (such as clear Balter Lexan or white Medium Hard Poly models) are most appropriate. Think of the m. 10 accented quarter notes tied to the half notes (and similar later examples) as being akin to Horn rips in a Hollywood movie. They are to be emphasized slightly but should not be blaring. Even though they are the only things happening on counts 2 and 3, care must be given that the young players donat get carried away and give them more emphasis than is musically desired. At m. 21, be careful that the bass line isnat plodding or over-emphasized due to the accents. Those players should be aware of the sudden drop in volume and lack of accents at m. 25. Attention to sudden dynamic shifts will add interest to the piece and present a more musical performance. Throughout this entire section, try to get all winds to sustain a single breath through four bars until the breath marks. If they are unable to do so, please explain the concept of staggered breathing between members of their section. There may be a tendency among the players to blast out m. 57 to the end. Notes should have more power than the section from mm. 21-56, but are still to be approached musically. Explaining such concepts during their early musical development will go far in helping them develop good traits that will pay off dividends in the future.
Fanfare and Jubilation is a Grade 1 work that is playable by any beginning band with any instrumentation due to extensive doubling. The mood is regal and optimistic and is non-programmatic, conveying no picturesque image or storyline. It is appropriate for any occasion. Accents are to be emphasized more than non-accented notes, but are not to be hammered hard. Stress that accented notes are to be played with the same good tone as the other notes and that pitches should not suffer from the additional emphasis. Think of the accents as more of an additional emphasis from the air column and not the tongue. Percussion accents are to played with more emphasis than non-accented notes, but shouldn't be perceived as being much louder. Timpani is only two pitches and is optional. The piece will not suffer at all if you don't have access to Timpani or a timpanist. Bells cover a wide range...the lower octave sections should not be played louder just because they're low pitched, as those notes will still be appropriately heard while supporting the melody. Do not use brass mallets. Balter 10 Phenolic mallets or equivalent (such as clear Balter Lexan or white Medium Hard Poly models) are most appropriate. Think of the m. 10 accented quarter notes tied to the half notes (and similar later examples) as being akin to Horn rips in a Hollywood movie. They are to be emphasized slightly but should not be blaring. Even though they are the only things happening on counts 2 and 3, care must be given that the young players don't get carried away and give them more emphasis than is musically desired. At m. 21, be careful that the bass line isn't plodding or over-emphasized due to the accents. Those players should be aware of the sudden drop in volume and lack of accents at m. 25. Attention to sudden dynamic shifts will add interest to the piece and present a more musical performance. Throughout this entire section, try to get all winds to sustain a single breath through four bars until the breath marks. If they are unable to do so, please explain the concept of staggered breathing between members of their section. There may be a tendency among the players to blast out m. 57 to the end. Notes should have more power than the section from mm. 21-56, but are still to be approached musically. Explaining such concepts during their early musical development will go far in helping them develop good traits that will pay off dividends in the future.
Fanfare and Jubilation is a Grade 1 work that is playable by any beginning band with any instrumentation due to extensive doubling. The mood is regal and optimistic and is non-programmatic, conveying no picturesque image or storyline. It is appropriate for any occasion.Accents are to be emphasized more than non-accented notes, but are not to be hammered hard. Stress that accented notes are to be played with the same good tone as the other notes and that pitches should not suffer from the additional emphasis. Think of the accents as more of an additional emphasis from the air column and not the tongue.Percussion accents are to played with more emphasis than non-accented notes, but shouldn’t be perceived as being much louder. Timpani is only two pitches and is optional. The piece will not suffer at all if you don’t have access to Timpani or a timpanist. Bells cover a wide range…the lower octave sections should not be played louder just because they’re low pitched, as those notes will still be appropriately heard while supporting the melody. Do not use brass mallets. Balter 10 Phenolic mallets or equivalent (such as clear Balter Lexan or white Medium Hard Poly models) are most appropriate.Think of the m. 10 accented quarter notes tied to the half notes (and similar later examples) as being akin to Horn rips in a Hollywood movie. They are to be emphasized slightly but should not be blaring. Even though they are the only things happening on counts 2 and 3, care must be given that the young players don’t get carried away and give them more emphasis than is musically desired.At m. 21, be careful that the bass line isn’t plodding or over-emphasized due to the accents. Those players should be aware of the sudden drop in volume and lack of accents at m. 25. Attention to sudden dynamic shifts will add interest to the piece and present a more musical performance. Throughout this entire section, try to get all winds to sustain a single breath through four bars until the breath marks. If they are unable to do so, please explain the concept of staggered breathing between members of their section.There may be a tendency among the players to blast out m. 57 to the end. Notes should have more power than the section from mm. 21-56, but are still to be approached musically. Explaining such concepts during their early musical development will go far in helping them develop good traits that will pay off dividends in the future.

Band Bass Clarinet, Bass Drum, Bass Trombone, Bassoon, Bells, Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2, Crash Cymbals, Euphonium, Euphonium T.C., Flute 1, Flute 2, Horn, Mallet Percussion, Oboe, Percussion 1, Percussion 2, Snare Drum, Timpani, Trombone, Trumpet 1 and more. - Grade 1

SKU: CF.BPS137

Composed by Michael Boo. Folio. Bps. Set of Score and Parts. 4+4+2+4+4+2+2+3+2+2+2+4+4 +3+2+2+2+3+1+1+2+1+16 pages. Duration 2:20. Carl Fischer Music #BPS137. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.BPS137).

ISBN 9781491158487. UPC: 680160917082. 9 x 12 inches.

Fanfare and Jubilation is a Grade 1 work that is playable by any beginning band with any instrumentation due to extensive doubling. The mood is regal and optimistic and is non-programmatic, conveying no picturesque image or storyline. It is appropriate for any occasion. Accents are to be emphasized more than non-accented notes, but are not to be hammered hard. Stress that accented notes are to be played with the same good tone as the other notes and that pitches should not suffer from the additional emphasis. Think of the accents as more of an additional emphasis from the air column and not the tongue. Percussion accents are to played with more emphasis than non-accented notes, but shouldnat be perceived as being much louder. Timpani is only two pitches and is optional. The piece will not suffer at all if you donat have access to Timpani or a timpanist. Bells cover a wide rangea|the lower octave sections should not be played louder just because theyare low pitched, as those notes will still be appropriately heard while supporting the melody. Do not use brass mallets. Balter 10 Phenolic mallets or equivalent (such as clear Balter Lexan or white Medium Hard Poly models) are most appropriate. Think of the m. 10 accented quarter notes tied to the half notes (and similar later examples) as being akin to Horn rips in a Hollywood movie. They are to be emphasized slightly but should not be blaring. Even though they are the only things happening on counts 2 and 3, care must be given that the young players donat get carried away and give them more emphasis than is musically desired. At m. 21, be careful that the bass line isnat plodding or over-emphasized due to the accents. Those players should be aware of the sudden drop in volume and lack of accents at m. 25. Attention to sudden dynamic shifts will add interest to the piece and present a more musical performance. Throughout this entire section, try to get all winds to sustain a single breath through four bars until the breath marks. If they are unable to do so, please explain the concept of staggered breathing between members of their section. There may be a tendency among the players to blast out m. 57 to the end. Notes should have more power than the section from mm. 21-56, but are still to be approached musically. Explaining such concepts during their early musical development will go far in helping them develop good traits that will pay off dividends in the future.
Fanfare and Jubilation is a Grade 1 work that is playable by any beginning band with any instrumentation due to extensive doubling. The mood is regal and optimistic and is non-programmatic, conveying no picturesque image or storyline. It is appropriate for any occasion. Accents are to be emphasized more than non-accented notes, but are not to be hammered hard. Stress that accented notes are to be played with the same good tone as the other notes and that pitches should not suffer from the additional emphasis. Think of the accents as more of an additional emphasis from the air column and not the tongue. Percussion accents are to played with more emphasis than non-accented notes, but shouldn't be perceived as being much louder. Timpani is only two pitches and is optional. The piece will not suffer at all if you don't have access to Timpani or a timpanist. Bells cover a wide range...the lower octave sections should not be played louder just because they're low pitched, as those notes will still be appropriately heard while supporting the melody. Do not use brass mallets. Balter 10 Phenolic mallets or equivalent (such as clear Balter Lexan or white Medium Hard Poly models) are most appropriate. Think of the m. 10 accented quarter notes tied to the half notes (and similar later examples) as being akin to Horn rips in a Hollywood movie. They are to be emphasized slightly but should not be blaring. Even though they are the only things happening on counts 2 and 3, care must be given that the young players don't get carried away and give them more emphasis than is musically desired. At m. 21, be careful that the bass line isn't plodding or over-emphasized due to the accents. Those players should be aware of the sudden drop in volume and lack of accents at m. 25. Attention to sudden dynamic shifts will add interest to the piece and present a more musical performance. Throughout this entire section, try to get all winds to sustain a single breath through four bars until the breath marks. If they are unable to do so, please explain the concept of staggered breathing between members of their section. There may be a tendency among the players to blast out m. 57 to the end. Notes should have more power than the section from mm. 21-56, but are still to be approached musically. Explaining such concepts during their early musical development will go far in helping them develop good traits that will pay off dividends in the future.
Fanfare and Jubilation is a Grade 1 work that is playable by any beginning band with any instrumentation due to extensive doubling. The mood is regal and optimistic and is non-programmatic, conveying no picturesque image or storyline. It is appropriate for any occasion.Accents are to be emphasized more than non-accented notes, but are not to be hammered hard. Stress that accented notes are to be played with the same good tone as the other notes and that pitches should not suffer from the additional emphasis. Think of the accents as more of an additional emphasis from the air column and not the tongue.Percussion accents are to played with more emphasis than non-accented notes, but shouldn’t be perceived as being much louder. Timpani is only two pitches and is optional. The piece will not suffer at all if you don’t have access to Timpani or a timpanist. Bells cover a wide range…the lower octave sections should not be played louder just because they’re low pitched, as those notes will still be appropriately heard while supporting the melody. Do not use brass mallets. Balter 10 Phenolic mallets or equivalent (such as clear Balter Lexan or white Medium Hard Poly models) are most appropriate.Think of the m. 10 accented quarter notes tied to the half notes (and similar later examples) as being akin to Horn rips in a Hollywood movie. They are to be emphasized slightly but should not be blaring. Even though they are the only things happening on counts 2 and 3, care must be given that the young players don’t get carried away and give them more emphasis than is musically desired.At m. 21, be careful that the bass line isn’t plodding or over-emphasized due to the accents. Those players should be aware of the sudden drop in volume and lack of accents at m. 25. Attention to sudden dynamic shifts will add interest to the piece and present a more musical performance. Throughout this entire section, try to get all winds to sustain a single breath through four bars until the breath marks. If they are unable to do so, please explain the concept of staggered breathing between members of their section.There may be a tendency among the players to blast out m. 57 to the end. Notes should have more power than the section from mm. 21-56, but are still to be approached musically. Explaining such concepts during their early musical development will go far in helping them develop good traits that will pay off dividends in the future.

Cello and piano

SKU: BR.EB-32083

Urtext. Composed by Camillo Schumann. Edited by Maria Kliegel. Solo instruments; stapled. Edition Breitkopf.

With supplementary violoncello part marked by Maria Kliegel

Sonata; Late-romantic. Score. 108 pages. Breitkopf and Haertel #EB 32083. Published by Breitkopf and Haertel (BR.EB-32083).

ISBN 9790004186299. 9 x 12 inches.

There are many composers about whom it is believed, today, that they composed conservatively, or against the taste of their time. The question is also raised, today, which extract of this large amount of effective and high-quality music, unknown for the most part, should receive our attention; which of it is worth rediscovering or re-editing. Camillo Schumann is one of the most important representatives of these composers, but his works are still largely unknown today. He was born on 10 March 1872 in Konigstein, Saxony. His musical language combines the sound world of Brahms with the grand, late-romantic Liszt School. He wrote piano parts of incredible power and virtuosity, approaching the sounds of Rachmaninoff. His wonderfully individual melodic language makes these works a valuable testimony to a composer who never had his due recognition. The cello sonatas Opp. 59 (EB 32082) and 99 (EB 32083) are the first of three works for this combination. Op. 59 was composed around 1905/06, Op. 99 followed in 1932. Nothing is known so far of the circumstances of the composition of this work, including for whom it was composed. However, it is quite evident that Schumann wrote it, like most of his works, primarily for his own concerts and befriended musicians. The extensive entries in the piano part bear witness to a considerably practical approach. Crossed-out bars, notes added or crossed out in chords as well as a number of revisions of other kinds are more the rule than the exception. The composer's own fingerings written in the piano part also underline this assumption. The present edition contains two solo-parts each. One clean Urtext-part free of any additions from the editor and a second one with bowing marks and fingerings by Maria Kliegel who recorded both sonatas for the first time with the label Naxos. Both sonatas show evident resemblance to the works of this combination by Johannes Brahms and are therefore a must have for ambitious cellists.

With supplementary violoncello part marked by Maria Kliegel.

String Quartet

SKU: PR.16400222S

Composed by Dan Welcher. Full score (study). With Standard notation. Duration 11 minutes. Theodore Presser Company #164-00222S. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.16400222S).

UPC: 680160037841.

This work follows my Quartet No. 1 by five years. In terms of style and aesthetic aim, however, it seems light years away. Where the first work, a 28-minute, four-movement piece, took aim at cosmic conflicts and heroic resolutions, the present work is intended as a kind of divertissment. Harbor Music lasts a mere eleven minutes, is cast in a single movement with six sections, and should leave both performers and listeners with a feeling of good humor and affection.   The title comes from my experience as a guest in the magnificent city of Sydney, Australia. One of its most attractive features is its unique system of ferry boats: the city is laid out around a large, multi-channeled harbor, with destinations more easily approached by water than by land. Consequently, inhabitants of Sydney get around on small, people-friendly boats that come and go from the central docks at Circular Quay. During a week's visit in 1991, I must have boarded these boats at least a dozen times, always bound for a new location - the resort town of Manley, or the Zoo at Taronga Park, or the shopping district at Darling Harbour.   In casting about for a form for my second string quartet, a kind of loose rondo came to mind. Each new destination would be approached from the same starting-out point (although there are subtle variations in the repeating theme; it's always in a new key, and the texture is never the same). The result, I hope, is a sense of constant new information presented with introductory frames of a more familiar nature.   The embarkation theme, which begins the piece, is a sort of bi-tonal fanfare in which the violins are in G major and the viola and cello are in B-flat major. It is bold, eager, and forward-looking. The first voyage maintains this bi-tonality, beginning as a 9/8 due for second violin and viola in a kind of rocking motion -much as a boat produces when reaching the deeper water in the harbor. A sweet, nostalgic theme emerges over this rocking accompaniment. This music is developed somewhat, then transforms quickly into a much faster and lighter episode, filled with rising and falling scales (again, in differing keys). A scherzando interlude in short notes and changing meters provides contrast, and the episode ends with a reprise of the scales.   The second embarkation follows, this time in A major/C major. It leads quickly into a very warm and slow theme, in wide-leaping intervals for the viola. This section is interrupted twice by solo cadenzas for the cello, suggesting distant boat-horns in major thirds. The end of the episode becomes a transition, with boat-horns leading into the final appearance of the embarkation music, this time in trills and tremolos instead of sharply accented chords. The nostalgic theme of the first episode makes a final appearance, serving now as a coda. The rocking motion continues, in a lullaby fashion, leaving us drowsy and satisfied on our homeward journey.   Harbor Music was written for the Cavani Quartet, and is dedicated to Richard J. Bogomolny. Commissioned by his employees at First National Supermarkets as a gift, it represents a thank you from many of the people (including this composer) who have benefitted from his vision and generosity. An ardent advocate of chamber music (and a cellist himself), Mr. Bogomolny has for many years been Chairman of the Board of Chamber Music America. -- Dan Welcher.

SKU: GI.G-10713

A Choral Leader's Guide for Organizational Growth. Composed by Emily Williams Burch & Alex Gartner. Music Education. Choir part. 316 pages. GIA Publications #10713. Published by GIA Publications (GI.G-10713).

ISBN 9781622776559.

Toda y’s choral leaders wear many hats: fundraising director, development associate, communications manager, marketing designer, volunteer coordinator—the list goes well beyond beautiful choral performances. In many ways, leading a choir is much like running a business. Written by two authors with extensive experience building choral programs from the ground up, The Business of Choir offers new insights, best practices, and practical action items for choral leaders looking to master the organizational and administrative elements of running a successful choral program. Features include: A behind-the-scenes look at elements of running a choir that are seldom the focus of college music education courses. An actionable toolkit to bring a greater focus to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion in choral spaces. Strategies to demystify fundraising and finance. Practical approaches to recruitment, retention, marketing, volunteer management, and board interactions. Whether you’re looking to expand your fundraising efforts, hire your first administrative professional, or fine-tune your organizational policies and practices, this resource will provide the direction and clarity you need as you take the next big step in your organization’s journey. Dr. Emily Williams Burch is the Coordinator of Music Education and Visiting Professor at the University of South Carolina Aiken. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of RISE Chorales, a community choir organization with youth through adult choirs. Alex Gartner is the Artistic and Executive Director of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus in Pensacola, Florida. Under his leadership, the organization has reached nearly 25,000 individuals, including over 5,000 youth, through innovative programs, performances, and organizational practices.

Choral Octavo. Alfred Choral Designs. Sacred; Spiritual. 16 pages. Published by Alfred Music (AP.46326).

Full Score Concert Band - Grade 4

SKU: HL.1455425

For Concert Band. Composed by James Pierpont. Arranged by Morton Gould and R. Mark Rogers. Southern Music. Christmas, Holiday, Winter. Softcover. 26 pages. Duration 240 seconds. Southern Music Company #S1059FS. Published by Southern Music Company (HL.1455425).

ISBN 9798892703314. UPC: 196288209560. 9.0x12.0x0.135 inches.

Morton Gould's setting of JINGLE BELLS calls to mind the quiet sounds of a horse-drawn sleigh passing through newly fallen snow. Beginning softly, as if the sleigh is approaching the listener from a distance and ending softly as the sleigh disappears in the distance, Gould's setting will challenge players and delight audiences.

Orchestra Orchestra

SKU: PR.11641373S

Composed by Peter Schickele. Full score. Duration 24 minutes. Theodore Presser Company #116-41373S. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.11641373S).

UPC: 680160680344.

The concerto has always seemed an especially attractive medium to me, not necessarily because of its expectations of virtuosity (although flaunting it when you've got it certainly has its place), and emphatically not because of the perception of a concerto as a contest, but because so much of what I write feels song-like; I'm very much at home with the age-old texture of melody and accompaniment. I hope, before I move on, to have the opportunity to write concertos for all the major instruments, and perhaps some of the rarer ones as well. The oboe is not only one of the major instruments, it is one of my favorite instruments. I've always loved its sound, but since moving to New York I have gotten to hear and, in some cases, know some extremely fine oboists who broadened my appreciation of the instrument's possibilities. I especially remember a concert, probably in the late 1960's, in which Humbert Lucarelli played a Handel concerto, filling out large melodic leaps with cascading scale passages in a way that raised the hair on the back of your neck, somewhat in the way that John Coltrane's sheets of sound did. The sweeping scales in the second movement of my concerto were definitely inspired by Bert Lucarelli's performance. The first, third and fifth movements of the Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra are song-like, whereas the second and fourth have strong scherzo and dance qualities, including a couple of sections that sound like out-and-out pirate dances to me. The hymn-like tune at the beginning of the middle movement was originally begun as a vocal piece to be sung by my wife, son and daughter at my brother's wedding, but I couldn't come up with good works for it, so it ended up as an instrumental chant. The opening and closing of the concerto make use of the oboe's uniquely soulful singing. I had not heard Pamela Woods Pecha's solo playing in person when she approached me about writing a concerto, but I had heard her fine recording of chamber music for oboe and strings by the three B's (English, that is: Bliss, Bax and Britten) with the Audubon Quartet. I actually already had some oboe concerto ideas in my sketchbooks; although I didn't end up using any of those earlier ideas, it's interesting that most of them tended to share the general feeling and tonality of the eventual opening of the concerto. The work was completed on October 13, 1994. I hate the compromises involved in making piano reductions -- perhaps I would feel differently if I were a more accomplished pianist -- so I often decide to make piano reductions for four hands rather than two. My good friend Jon Kimura Parker is a terrific sight-reader, and I roped him into coming over to my place on February 17, 1995, to help me accompany Pamela on the first read-through of the piece. The first performance of the work took place on July 21, 1995, at the American Music Festival in Duncan, Oklahoma, with Mark Parker conducting the Festival Orchestra.

Orchestra Orchestra

SKU: PR.11641373L

Composed by Peter Schickele. Large Score. Duration 24 minutes. Theodore Presser Company #116-41373L. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.11641373L).

UPC: 680160680337.

The concerto has always seemed an especially attractive medium to me, not necessarily because of its expectations of virtuosity (although flaunting it when you've got it certainly has its place), and emphatically not because of the perception of a concerto as a contest, but because so much of what I write feels song-like; I'm very much at home with the age-old texture of melody and accompaniment. I hope, before I move on, to have the opportunity to write concertos for all the major instruments, and perhaps some of the rarer ones as well. The oboe is not only one of the major instruments, it is one of my favorite instruments. I've always loved its sound, but since moving to New York I have gotten to hear and, in some cases, know some extremely fine oboists who broadened my appreciation of the instrument's possibilities. I especially remember a concert, probably in the late 1960's, in which Humbert Lucarelli played a Handel concerto, filling out large melodic leaps with cascading scale passages in a way that raised the hair on the back of your neck, somewhat in the way that John Coltrane's sheets of sound did. The sweeping scales in the second movement of my concerto were definitely inspired by Bert Lucarelli's performance. The first, third and fifth movements of the Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra are song-like, whereas the second and fourth have strong scherzo and dance qualities, including a couple of sections that sound like out-and-out pirate dances to me. The hymn-like tune at the beginning of the middle movement was originally begun as a vocal piece to be sung by my wife, son and daughter at my brother's wedding, but I couldn't come up with good works for it, so it ended up as an instrumental chant. The opening and closing of the concerto make use of the oboe's uniquely soulful singing. I had not heard Pamela Woods Pecha's solo playing in person when she approached me about writing a concerto, but I had heard her fine recording of chamber music for oboe and strings by the three B's (English, that is: Bliss, Bax and Britten) with the Audubon Quartet. I actually already had some oboe concerto ideas in my sketchbooks; although I didn't end up using any of those earlier ideas, it's interesting that most of them tended to share the general feeling and tonality of the eventual opening of the concerto. The work was completed on October 13, 1994. I hate the compromises involved in making piano reductions -- perhaps I would feel differently if I were a more accomplished pianist -- so I often decide to make piano reductions for four hands rather than two. My good friend Jon Kimura Parker is a terrific sight-reader, and I roped him into coming over to my place on February 17, 1995, to help me accompany Pamela on the first read-through of the piece. The first performance of the work took place on July 21, 1995, at the American Music Festival in Duncan, Oklahoma, with Mark Parker conducting the Festival Orchestra.

Piano

SKU: BR.EB-9412

12 Piano Pieces - Urtext. Composed by Joachim Raff. Edited by Ulrich Mahlert. Solo instruments; stapled. Edition Breitkopf. Sonata; Romantic. Score. 56 pages. Duration 30'. Breitkopf and Haertel #EB 9412. Published by Breitkopf and Haertel (BR.EB-9412).

ISBN 9790004188866. 9 x 12 inches.

Joachim Raff's 12 piano pieces Fruhlingsboten op. 55, originating in 1852/53, mark a new creative start in his compositional oeuvre, in which the composer left behind his previously written and published piano works. The title of the work, translated as Heralds of Spring, is multilayered: It refers not only to spring in nature as expressed in the headings of the first two pieces, Winterruhe [Hibernation] and Fruhlingsnahen [Spring's Approach], but the words Heralds of Spring also indicate love's spring, the blossoming of love for his future wife, the actress Doris Genast. This appears in the headings of the pieces as of no. 3, sketching the path of an imaginary couple approaching union via various annoyances. And ultimately, Raff saw in his new piano work the harbingers of his future works, created under happy circumstances. In Fruhlingsboten Raff repeatedly demonstrates his ability to adapt idioms and compositional techniques from works by Liszt, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schumann, and others. The pieces do nonetheless possess their own thoroughly original diction with a character spectrum just as diverse as their stylistic piano design. Mahlert's new edition, as beautifully presented as ever from this publisher, is exemplary, and can easily be recommended to advanced pianists with a love of nineteenth-century repertoire. Superb.(Andrew Eales, Pianodao).