Band Bass Clarinet, Bass Drum, Bassoon, China Cymbal, Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2, Crash Cymbals, Euphonium, Euphonium T.C., Flute, Flute 2, Horn, Mallet Percussion, Oboe, Percussion 1, Percussion 2, Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Tambourine, Timpani and more. - Grade 2

SKU: CF.YPS204

Long Live the King. Composed by Tyler Arcari. Young Band (YPS). Set of Score and Parts. With Standard notation. 8+2+4+4+2+2+5+2+2+4+4+4+6 +3+3+1+1+4+16+2+4 pages. Duration 2 minutes, 24 seconds. Carl Fischer Music #YPS204. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.YPS204).

ISBN 9781491152249. UPC: 680160909742. Key: D minor.

Avalon� ��Long Live the King is a medieval fantasy piece depicting the Isle of Avalon where the mystical sword Excalibur of King Arthur was forged. Composer Tyler Arcari unearths a solid piece for young bands that is both bold and dramatic. This piece is sure to spark the imagination of students and give them strong musical content with which they can develop their musicianship.
Program Notes:Avalon–Long live the King began its journey as a commission in honor of a dear friend and mentor. David Riggs is one of those band directors that just seems timeless. He is a powerhouse with such a stacked resume that it is easy to forget that at the end of the day he enjoys taking long bike rides with his lovely wife and whittling a piece of wood just as much as being a band director. He has touched so many lives and inspired so many people in our field and beyond. I was humbled, and honored, when I was contacted for the commission. To David, I hope that you one day know how much you mean to so many people, including myself.About the piece:The piece is written with a little homage to David’s long tenure at Avalon Middle school in Pace, Florida. He was certainly treated like a king as the band director and rightly so. It seemed only fitting to add a little medieval fantasy. Avalon is a mystical island in the world of King Arthur where the great sword Excalibur was forged.The piece begins lyrically with a slow introduction with melodic material. This melodic motive is used throughout with slight variations depending on the instrument voicing etc. Care should be taken at m. 10 that the Timpani roll helps to bridge our transition from an exposed section to full tutti. Care should be taken so that the tempo change at m. 19 is brisk and avoids the low brass turning into stomping. Accessories like the China cymbal and tambourine can become overpowering. I recommend having students think of these effects as background in order to make sure they don’t POP out. The dynamic changes at mm. 27-35 should be subito similar to orchestral dynamic changes. Avoid unwritten crescendos in this section. Measures 60–64 are a great opportunity to teach those unwritten dynamics that make music so enjoyable as we lead up to the finale. It was originally left blank for some theatrics in the premiere at David’s retirement concert so I know he would enjoy adding some Cholesterol as David would say.Long Live the King!

By Ivo Antognini. For 2-part treble choir, cello and piano or organ. Octavo. Published by Alliance Music Publications

Composed by English Ballad. Arranged by Russell L. Robinson. Fold. Octavo. 8 pages. Duration 2 minutes, 47 seconds. Carl Fischer Music #CM9657. Published by Carl Fischer Music

In C Major, Op. 18. Composed by Robert Schumann. Arranged by Daniel Lesieur. Percussion Duets. Arranged for marimba duet by Daniel Lesieur. Folio and Downloadable Parts. Tapspace Publications #TSPCD20-001. Published by Tapspace Publications

SKU: SU.30190050

Composed by Carson Cooman. Vocal/Choral, Solo Voice. Piano Vocal Score. Subito Music Corporation #30190050. Published by Subito Music Corporation (SU.30190050).

Soprano, Tenor, Baritone; 1.1.1.0/0.0.0.0; pno; 2.1.1.0 Duration: 35' Libretto: Joyce Carol Oates Composed: 2003 Published by: Parsonage Press SYNOPSIS: A married couple celebrating their twelfth wedding anniversary attends a magic show performed by the acclaimed Dr. Magic, whose specialty would appear to be telepathy and hypnosis. Eager to be cast under Dr. Magic's spell, the husband and wife are revealed as alarmingly suggestible, and capable of feats unthinkable in normal consciousness. In the end, against our expectations, the hypnotized husband's love for his wife overcomes Dr. Magic and the two are promised a joint memory of their happiest experience. -- Joyce Carol Oates.

By Cat Stevens. For Guitar. Folk, Pop, Rock. Sheet Music. 304 pages. Published by Wise Publications.

SATB Choir

SKU: BT.MUSMF272

Composed by Blandet Kor Antologi. Arranged by Svend-G. Asmussen and Thomas Alvad. Hymns & Chorals. Book Only. Composed 2013. 184 pages. Edition Wilhelm Hansen #MUSMF272. Published by Edition Wilhelm Hansen (BT.MUSMF272).

ISBN 9788774840954.

Anth ology for mixed choir. Suitable for use colleges, high schools etc.

Unison Voices

SKU: HL.14006275

Catches (Paperback). Composed by Henry Purcell. Music Sales America. Secular. Book [Softcover]. Music Sales #NOV151103. Published by Music Sales (HL.14006275).

ISBN 9780711986237. UPC: 884088435141. 7.75x11 inches.

The first complete volume of Henry Purcell's Catches to appear in Purcell Society Edition since 1922. The new edition lays particular emphasis on accuracy and performance and includes a comprehensive commentary. Cloth edition available: NOV151103-01.

Orchestra String Orchestra - Grade 3

SKU: CF.CAS18

Composed by Douglas Townsend. Carl Fischer Concert String Orchestra Series. Score and Parts. With Standard notation. 12 pages. Carl Fischer Music #CAS18. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.CAS18).

ISBN 9780825855016. UPC: 798408055011. 8.5 X 11 inches. Key: F major.

A truly masterful fantasy on an English folk song, this piece shows the exceptional musical development found in many of the greatest classical symphonies. The fantasy is roughly in the style of the classical rondo (ABACA) and features fine counterpoint and engaging melodies. This piece can be played in an orchestral and quartet setting and is both challenging and fun to play.
My Fantasy on The Wee Cooper of Fife was one of four such fantasies I wrote for my daughter April when she was studying the violin, and I had hopes that when she reached the age of wisdom and proficiency she would play them with her friends. Life being what is it, she eventually gave up the violin and chose a completely different career for herself-though we are still the best of friends! I found the song in a collection of folk songs for children where it is called Rissoldy Rossoldy. Except for a few notes, the song was almost identical to the English folksong The Wee Cooper of Fife, which begins: There was a Wee Cooper named Fife / nickity nackety roo noo roo / He took him to wed a gentle wife / nickity nackety roo noo roo / She would na card she would na spin / for fear 't would harm her gentle skin.... The tune is rollicking and words are amusing, and yes, eventually they worked out their problems! The Fantasy is roughly in the style of the classical rondo, which is ABACA coda, such as one finds in the last movements of some of Haydn's later symphonies. This composition may be performed by a string orchestra or solo string quartet. - Douglas Townsend.
MyA Fantasy on The Wee Cooper of FifeA was one of four such fantasies I wrote for my daughter April when she was studying the violin, and I had hopes that when she reached the age of wisdom and proficiency she would play them with her friends. Life being what is it, she eventually gave up the violin and chose a completely different career for herself-though we are still the best of friends! I found the song in a collection of folk songs for children where it is calledA Rissoldy Rossoldy.A Except for a few notes, the song was almost identical to the English folksongA The Wee Cooper of Fife, which begins: There was a Wee Cooper named Fife / nickity nackety roo noo roo / He took him to wed a gentle wife / nickity nackety roo noo roo / She would na card she would na spin / for fear 't would harm her gentle skin.... The tune is rollicking and words are amusing, and yes, eventually they worked out their problems! The Fantasy is roughly in the style of the classical rondo, which is ABACA coda, such as one finds in the last movements of some of Haydn's later symphonies. This composition may be performed by a string orchestra or solo string quartet. - Douglas Townsend.
MyA Fantasy on The Wee Cooper of FifeA was one of four such fantasies I wrote for my daughter April when she was studying the violin, and I had hopes that when she reached the age of wisdom and proficiency she would play them with her friends. Life being what is it, she eventually gave up the violin and chose a completely different career for herself-though we are still the best of friends! I found the song in a collection of folk songs for children where it is calledA Rissoldy Rossoldy.A Except for a few notes, the song was almost identical to the English folksongA The Wee Cooper of Fife, which begins: There was a Wee Cooper named Fife / nickity nackety roo noo roo / He took him to wed a gentle wife / nickity nackety roo noo roo / She would na card she would na spin / for fear 't would harm her gentle skin.... The tune is rollicking and words are amusing, and yes, eventually they worked out their problems! The Fantasy is roughly in the style of the classical rondo, which is ABACA coda, such as one finds in the last movements of some of Haydn's later symphonies. This composition may be performed by a string orchestra or solo string quartet. - Douglas Townsend.
My Fantasy on The Wee Cooper of Fife was one of four such fantasies I wrote for my daughter April when she was studying the violin, and I had hopes that when she reached the age of wisdom and proficiency she would play them with her friends. Life being what is it, she eventually gave up the violin and chose a completely different career for herself-though we are still the best of friends! I found the song in a collection of folk songs for children where it is called Rissoldy Rossoldy. Except for a few notes, the song was almost identical to the English folksong The Wee Cooper of Fife, which begins: There was a Wee Cooper named Fife / nickity nackety roo noo roo / He took him to wed a gentle wife / nickity nackety roo noo roo / She would na card she would na spin / for fear 't would harm her gentle skin.... The tune is rollicking and words are amusing, and yes, eventually they worked out their problems! The Fantasy is roughly in the style of the classical rondo, which is ABACA coda, such as one finds in the last movements of some of Haydn's later symphonies. This composition may be performed by a string orchestra or solo string quartet. - Douglas Townsend.
My Fantasy on The Wee Cooper of Fife was one of four such fantasies I wrote for my daughter April when she was studying the violin, and I had hopes that when she reached the age of wisdom and proficiency she would play them with her friends. Life being what is it, she eventually gave up the violin and chose a completely different career for herself-though we are still the best of friends! I found the song in a collection of folk songs for children where it is called Rissoldy Rossoldy. Except for a few notes, the song was almost identical to the English folksong The Wee Cooper of Fife, which begins: There was a Wee Cooper named Fife / nickity nackety roo noo roo / He took him to wed a gentle wife / nickity nackety roo noo roo / She would na card she would na spin / for fear 't would harm her gentle skin.... The tune is rollicking and words are amusing, and yes, eventually they worked out their problems! The Fantasy is roughly in the style of the classical rondo, which is ABACA coda, such as one finds in the last movements of some of Haydn's later symphonies. This composition may be performed by a string orchestra or solo string quartet. - Douglas Townsend.
My Fantas y on The Wee Cooper of Fife was one of four such fantasies I wrote for my daughter April when she was studying the violin, and I had hopes that when she reached the age of wisdom and proficiency she would play them with her friends. Life being what is it, she eventually gave up the violin and chose a completely different career for herself-though we are still the best of friends!I found the song in a collection of folk songs for children where it is called Rissoldy Rossoldy. Except for a few notes, the song was almost identical to the English folksong The Wee Cooper of Fife, which begins:There was a Wee Cooper named Fife / nickity nackety roo noo roo / He took him to wed a gentle wife / nickity nackety roo noo roo / She would na card she would na spin / for fear 't would harm her gentle skin....The tune is rollicking and words are amusing, and yes, eventually they worked out their problems!The Fantasy is roughly in the style of the classical rondo, which is ABACA coda, such as one finds in the last movements of some of Haydn's later symphonies.This composition may be performed by a string orchestra or solo string quartet.- Douglas Townsend.

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

E-Z Play Today (Easy big-note right-hand-only arrangements for piano, organ, and electronic keyboard). Size 9x12 inches. 136 pages. Published by Hal Leonard.

Chorus (with soloists) and piano (solos: Sp MezT2BarB - 2(picc).2(cor ang).2(Bkl).2(dble bsn) - 3.2.3.0 - timp.perc.(2) - Cel - str - stage music: 2trp.timp.perc)

SKU: BR.EB-9433

A Theatrical Caprice in One Act. Composed by Ferruccio Busoni. Choir; Softbound. Edition Breitkopf. Opera; Music theatre; Early modern; Late-romantic. Piano/Vocal Score. Duration 60'. Breitkopf and Haertel #EB 9433. Published by Breitkopf and Haertel (BR.EB-9433).

ISBN 9790004189108. 9 x 12 inches. German.

Text by the composerTranslation: engl. (E. J. Dent), ital. (V. Levi), port. (G. de Medeiros)Place and time: Bergamo, around the 18th century.Characters: Ser Matteo del Sarto, master tailor (baritone) - Abbate Cospicuo (baritone) - Dottore Bombasto (bass) - Leandro, Cavaliere (tenor) - Arlecchino (speaking part) - Colombina, Arlecchino's wife (mezzo-soprano) - Annunziata, Matteo's wife - Zwei Sbirren - Ein Karrner - a Donkey - People at the windows (silent parts)The idea behind this work was to combine a major speaking role with a part for a female singer and orchestra in the spirit of the opera buffa. The overall tone is pacifistic and anti-bourgeois. Busoni's inspiration was that of an opera-play in the style of Italian improvised comedy; he wanted types and characters on stage whose varying typology would provide the source of conflict ... The title hero absconds with the young wife of the Dante-reading tailor Matteo. He returns as a false barbarian commander, as a husband who engages in a duel with the suitor Count Leandro, and as a conqueror who announces the moral of the story in the epilogue: how to be able to bow in rags and still retain one's dignity and rights. The piece takes a turn for the absurd when the Abbate, at the sight of Leandro, who is presumed dead, begins to sing a chorale-like song of praise to the donkey of Providence who comes trotting in at that moment. This introduces the most musically refined number in the piece, the quartet, in which Leandro's love aria and his duet with Columbina satirize the attitudes prevalent in Italian opera from Scarlatti to Verdi. Musically, Busoni uses throughout the entire work an idiom of dance-like, blissfully transparent comedy and hides harmonic audacities behind touches of lightness. The orchestral sound radiates an incomparable brightness and buoyant elegance. (Hans Heinz Stuckenschmidt, 1967)

In the appendix, EB 9433 contains the later composed aria Wer siegt? Wer fallt?..

Picc. (G Tr.) 4 Fl. Afl. Bfl. (Ca Fl). (CbFl). (Picc. (G Tr.) 4 Fl. Afl. Bfl. (Ca Fl). (CbFl).) - Intermediate

SKU: FT.FM863

Composed by Gustav Holst. Arranged by Robert Rainford. Beautifully contrasted 3 mvmt Suite. Classical. Score and Parts. Forton Music #FM863. Published by Forton Music (FT.FM863).

ISBN 9790570487622. 21 x 30 cm inches.

The Brook Green Suite was written in 1933 during Holst's stay in the hospital (where he was to die in May 1934). It was written for his pupils, the junior orchestra at St Paul's Girls School; He wanted to write a piece in a contemporary, mature style that was easy enough for his pupils to perform; he felt they deserved better than simple orchestrations from keyboard originals or 'watered down' pieces. It was probably named after Brook Green because that was the location of his wedding to his wife, Isobel, in 1901. it could have also been named after the Brook because of it's proximity to the school.
The Prelude is based on the descending C major scale; while the Air sounds as if it was based on English folk song, but most likely it was not. Holst had become so acquainted with folk song during his life that a lot of his melodies were very similar to them. The structure of the Air is reminiscent of the counterpoint of The Lyric Movement, full of enharmonic relations and somewhat austere. This is a trait of most of his later works. The Dance is based on a melody heard in a puppet show while he was on holiday in Sicily.
This arrangement has been crafted so that flute 1 has the hardest part and flute 4 the easiest. All parts contribute to the piece, with solos for everyone.

Concert band (Flute 1/Piccolo, Flute 2, Oboe 1/2, Bb Clarinet 1, Bb Clarinet 2, Bb Clarinet 3, Eb Alto Clarinet (optional), Bb Bass Clarinet, Bassoon 1/2, Alto Saxophone 1/2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Bb Cornet 1, Bb Cornet 2, Bb Cornet 3, Bb Trumpet 1/2, Ho) - grade 4

SKU: CN.S11042

Composed by George Lloyd. Band Music. Score only. Duration 10:00. Published by G & M Brand Music Publishers (CN.S11042).

This symphonic sketch for concert band is packed full different motives thrown around the ensemble hinting at the programmatic leitmotifs of Wagner. Every section of the ensemble gets a workout in this delightful 10-minute work.

A Symphonic Sketch for Concert Band. The resurgence of interest in George Lloyd's music must give us faith that such talent will ultimately prevail against sometimes unhappy circumstances. Lloyd was Cornish and showed precocious gifts at an early age - he had completed his first symphony by the age of nineteen. During the 1930s he completed two operas, one of which - The Serf - was produced at Covent Garden in 1938. He was set for a glittering career as a composer. The Second World War intervened and he was invalidad out of the Navy in a shell-shocked state, and having written very little serious music since 1937 went to Switzerland to recuperate, looked after by his wife, Nancy. Painfully, he began writing again - symphonies Nos. 4 and 5 - and then returned to England. He needed to earn a living and he set up a mushroom farm in Dorset. But slowly he began to compose again and drafted more symphonies in short score. By this time he was virtually unknown - despite being considered the equal of Walton, Britten, and other young stars of English music some 30 years earlier. Lloyd decided to embark on a series of recordings of his symphonies, and slowly popular acclaim enabled him to regain his position. The Forest of Arden was written in 1987 as a result of a commission by the Solihull Youth Wind Band. Although Lloyd's music feels instinctively written one should not be misled - it is carefully crafted, but the craft and structure are always subordinated to create a flow with a strongly melodic content. Instead of two or three themes, The Forest of Arden contains an abundance of ideas which can be described in two groups. The first group contains the opening rhythmic motif, quickly developed into a short rising quaver passage in the woodwinds, and later then a chromatic ostinato bass - only 8 bars at this stage but later expanded. The second group is broad and expansive, initially based on intervals of rising fifths introduced by euphonium, tubas, and baritone saxophone, immediately echoed by horns. Low brass and winds expand the theme into rising sixths and octaves. There is a hint of development, bit this is arrested as the music moves to a piu tranquillo section introduced by the alto saxophone which further develops the rising sixth theme. There follows a true development of the opening material, starting with the ostinato bass and gradually passing through different tonal centers until the rising fifths of the second theme group are heralded - fortissimo and poco piu largamente shortly before the end. The structure is almost Wagnerian (albeit on a much smaller scale), with themes being used as leitmotifs, but this is music which, even within the space of ten minutes is conceived on a grand design.

Fanfare Band (Score) - Grade 2

SKU: HL.4008028

For Fanfare Band. Composed by Otto M. Schwarz. Duration 135 seconds. Hal Leonard #SDP129-22-101. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.4008028).

The Greek poet Homer wrote about Troy and the Trojan War - which probably took place in what is now Asia Minor - in his Iliad in the 8th century B.C. Nowadays, the term 'Trojan' generally refers to a malware program that is used to gain unauthorized access to computers. This use comes from the legendary Trojan Horse, which saw the turning poing in the battle between Greeks and Trojans through the cunning of Odysseus. Let us return to the beginning of the story: Paris, son of the king of Troy, is tasked by Zeus with judging the beauty of the three goddesses Aphrodite, Pallas Athena, and Hera. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, flatters Paris by promising him the most beautiful woman in the world. Soon afterwards, on a journey to Greece, Paris meets the beautiful Helen, who immediately falls in love with him. Since however she is the wife of Spartan king Menelaus, she eventually lets herself be kidnapped by Paris voluntarily. The Greeks then form a large army and go to war against Troy to retrieve Helen, leading to a ten-year siege of the city. The city is eventually conquered not through combat, however, but through Odysseus' cunning ploy. He has the idea of building an enormous wooden horse with warriors hidden inside. The horse is placed at the gates of the city. Thus, the Trojans are tricked into giving up the siege when, despite various warnings, they bring the horse into the city to dedicate it to the goddess Athena. At night, the soldiers climb out of the horse and open the gate for the Greek army. The troops storm the city and raze it to the ground. The royal family and all the Trojan warriors are killed - only Aeneas, the son of Aphrodite, escapes. Later, following many years' wanderings he and his acolytes will become known as the founders of the Roman people.

By Benjamin Britten (1913-1976). For Choral (TBB). BH Secular Choral. 22 pages. Boosey and Hawkes #M051481705. Published by Boosey and Hawkes

Eulenburg Audio Score Series, Vol. 90. Composed by Richard Wagner (1813-1883). Edited by Peter Jost. Eulenberg Audio plus Score. Softcover with CD. Eulenburg Edition #EAS190. Published by Eulenburg Edition (HL.49044222).

Piano Solo

SKU: IS.PN7495EM

Composed by Louis Anthony deLise. Keyboards - Piano. Metropolis Music Publishers #PN7495EM. Published by Metropolis Music Publishers (IS.PN7495EM).

ISBN 9790365074952.

Loui s Anthony deLise is an American composer, pianist, and percussionist. The compositions in A Gift of Moments are typical of deLise’s composing style that often features the juxtaposition of disparate musical elements like serial technique, frequently changing meters, the urgency and drive of rock and roll, and the lush harmonies of 1960’s West Coast Jazz. Dr. deLise was Adjunct Lecturer of Theory and Composition at the Boyer College of Music and Dance (in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). He is the author of The Professional Songwriter, a textbook on songwriting. The title, A Gift of Moments, comes from something a friend wrote about her deceased husband. She described their too-short time together as, a gift of moments. (Time with someone you love is always too short, isn’t it?) Since February 2020, (since I’ve been locked down at home with my patient and loving wife, Theresa), like the rest of us, I’ve been reminded each day of just how delicate life is. My friend’s comment about her lost love has gradually revealed itself as a worthy title for the collection of music I was creating during this time of lockdown. All of the pieces in this collection are in some way about love: of a mate, of family, our way of life, and those beliefs we consider particular to us. The compositions are varied in style as they encompass musical gestures reflective of the many disparate musical traditions alive in my soul. With this unapologetically sensitive, perhaps even nostalgic, music of mine I intend to blur the arbitrary boundaries of genre classification, like classical or pop; ambient or orchestral. Special thanks to Vivian Barton Dozor, a wonderfully talented cellist who provided insight into bowing and phrasing for the cello parts.

Chamber Music String Quartet

SKU: PR.144404550

Composed by Sydney F. Hodkinson. Set of Score and Parts. With Standard notation. Composed 2002. 53+20+16+16+16 pages. Duration 22 minutes. Theodore Presser Company #144-40455. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.144404550).

UPC: 680160030859.

After finishing a serious woodwind quintet in the fall of 2001 [Tela Lacerata], I found, in the ensuing months, that its cinders/ashes were still impregnating my eardrums. Therefore, when I set out to write the present string piece, I realized that the musical veins of the quartet, like related cousins, were sharing the same blood as the earlier wind composition. The resultant Fifth Quartet evolved into two large, extended movements, each one containing seven parts that are played without pause. As the list of the various sub-sections clearly indicates, the formal structure of the movements appear to be identical: each with three main parts enveloped by interludes, plus an introduction and coda. However, the principal segments of the first (slow) movement gradually decrease in length, while those of the second (fast) movement increase. In addition, there is a goodly amount of sonic material stolen from the first movement which reappears -- stitched together in a new guise -- into the world of the second. for example, the bulk of Parts B and C of Movement II are lifted bodily, although elaborately modified, from their first appearances in the Introduction and Part A of the fist movement. This offers, I suppose at least a hint of a traditional recapitulation. As was true in the earlier woodwind piece -- both harmonically and melodically -- the embryonic growth of the musical fabric (primarily the tritone and perfect fifth) is omnipresent, almost obsessively, throughout the course of the whole work. These two intervals, not unlike plasticine, habitually transform themselves into the scales, chords, and melodic lines that pervade the texture of the quartet. Owing to the largely unrelieved dramatic flow, the shifting speed, and the often fervent intensity, the quartet places considerable demands on the dexterity, virtuosity, and stamina of the four performers. String Quartet No. 5 is approximately 22 minutes in duration and affectionately dedicated to my violinist wife Elizabeth, as a gift for our 47 years together. It was commissioned by the Corigliano String Quartet, New York, NY. -- Sydney Hodkinson.

Chamber Music String Quartet

SKU: PR.14440455S

Composed by Sydney F. Hodkinson. Large Score. With Standard notation. 53 pages. Duration 22 minutes. Theodore Presser Company #144-40455S. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.14440455S).

UPC: 680160030873.

After finishing a serious woodwind quintet in the fall of 2001 [Tela Lacerata], I found, in the ensuing months, that its cinders/ashes were still impregnating my eardrums. Therefore, when I set out to write the present string piece, I realized that the musical veins of the quartet, like related cousins, were sharing the same blood as the earlier wind composition. The resultant Fifth Quartet evolved into two large, extended movements, each one containing seven parts that are played without pause. As the list of the various sub-sections clearly indicates, the formal structure of the movements appear to be identical: each with three main parts enveloped by interludes, plus an introduction and coda. However, the principal segments of the first (slow) movement gradually decrease in length, while those of the second (fast) movement increase. In addition, there is a goodly amount of sonic material stolen from the first movement which reappears -- stitched together in a new guise -- into the world of the second. for example, the bulk of Parts B and C of Movement II are lifted bodily, although elaborately modified, from their first appearances in the Introduction and Part A of the fist movement. This offers, I suppose at least a hint of a traditional recapitulation. As was true in the earlier woodwind piece -- both harmonically and melodically -- the embryonic growth of the musical fabric (primarily the tritone and perfect fifth) is omnipresent, almost obsessively, throughout the course of the whole work. These two intervals, not unlike plasticine, habitually transform themselves into the scales, chords, and melodic lines that pervade the texture of the quartet. Owing to the largely unrelieved dramatic flow, the shifting speed, and the often fervent intensity, the quartet places considerable demands on the dexterity, virtuosity, and stamina of the four performers. String Quartet No. 5 is approximately 22 minutes in duration and affectionately dedicated to my violinist wife Elizabeth, as a gift for our 47 years together. It was commissioned by the Corigliano String Quartet, New York, NY. -- Sydney Hodkinson.