(For C Instruments). By Various. For C Instruments. Fake Book. Softcover. 576 pages. Published by Hal Leonard

By Robert Schumann. Edited by Howard Ferguson. For Piano solo. (Part 1 of Album for the Young, Opus 68). Level: 2, 3, 4, 5. 24 pages. Published by ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music).

Composed by Bela Bartok (1881-1945), edited by Dr Benjamin Suchoff. For piano. The Archive Edition. Format: piano solo book. With standard notation, fingerings and introductory text. 20th Century and Hungarian. 150 pages. 9x12 inches. Published by Dover Publications.

Band Bass Clarinet, Bass Drum, Bassoon, Bells, Cabasa, 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 2.5

SKU: CF.YPS212

Composed by Larry Clark. Young Band (YPS). Set of Score and Parts. With Standard notation. 16+4+8+8+4+4+10+4+4+8+8+8 +12+6+6+2+2+4+10+20+4 pages. Duration 3 minutes, 39 seconds. Carl Fischer Music #YPS212. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.YPS212).

ISBN 9781491152317. UPC: 680160909810. Key: C minor.

Taking its title from a poem about grief and loss by Chrissie Pinney, Live On honors the life of band director Linda Mann, to whom the piece is dedicated. The piece begins with a pensive intro before shifting to a whimsical theme that brings about happy thoughts of a life well-lived. After a return to the poignant opening material, the music surges to a triumphant conclusion based on an augmented version of the whimsical theme.
Live On was commissioned by Diplomat Middle School's staff, faculty and students, in Cape Coral, Florida, and is dedicated to the memory of their Director of Bands, Linda Mann. Director of Orchestras, Roland Forti, championed the commissioning of this piece to honor the life of Linda after her untimely passing in February of 2017. Linda Mann’s impact on the field of music education was profound and wide-reaching. She was a beloved member of the staff at Diplomat Middle School, as well as the music community of Cape Coral and the state of Florida. Linda was highly respected throughout the state, serving as recent past-president of the Florida Bandmasters Association.In discussing the type of piece the school wanted to honor Ms. Mann, they indicated the piece should “depict Linda’s personality: dynamic, sassy, yet thoughtful and almost mentor-like.” They wanted a piece that was upbeat, yet still had moments that were thoughtful, portraying the grief that the Diplomat Middle School community has suffered from the sudden loss of such a beloved teacher.After contemplating their thoughts, I did some research to find inspiration for the piece. This led me to poetry about grief and loss. In time, I stumbled upon a short, yet poignant poem that I felt perfectly depicted the sentiment that I wanted the piece to convey.  That poem is entitled Live On by Chrissie Pinney.Live OnNow as I live onWithout youI hope to keepThe pieces of youThat I loved so dearlyYour mannerismsAnd compassionate characterAnd smiles through struggleSo that youMay live on too -Chrissie PinneyI reached out to Ms. Pinney, and she graciously agreed to allow me to quote her powerful poem in these notes. She expressed that she was deeply touched that her work would inspire me to write a piece in honor of Linda Mann.The piece begins with a poignant, pensive opening section. The use of the musical interval of a tritone between the first two openly voiced chords are used to represent the sadness we all feel from this type of loss. When I sat in front of my piano and started to work on this piece, my hands seemed to naturally and immediately play these first two chords, which set the process in motion of composing the piece.After the somber opening, the piece shifts to a whimsical theme that I hope brings about happy thoughts of Linda and her personality. It was also my intent, however, to include some musical dissonance in the theme that still reflected the bittersweet loss at the same time. The piece develops into a secondary theme that is a quasi inversion of the main fast theme. This section is followed by a return of the opening material, with snippets of the fast theme intertwined, before the piece builds to a triumphant, augmented presentation of the main theme in a lush form to complete the work.It is my hope that in some small way, this piece will bring comfort to those affected by the loss of Linda Mann, and that the music will allow her memory to Live On.–Larry ClarkLakeland, FL 2017.

Band Bass Clarinet, Bass Drum, Bassoon, Bells, Cabasa, 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.YPS212F

Composed by Larry Clark. Young Band (YPS). Full score. With Standard notation. 20 pages. Carl Fischer Music #YPS212F. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.YPS212F).

ISBN 9781491152997. UPC: 680160910496.

Takin g its title from a poem about grief and loss by Chrissie Pinney, Live On honors the life of band director Linda Mann, to whom the piece is dedicated. The piece begins with a pensive intro before shifting to a whimsical theme that brings about happy thoughts of a life well-lived. After a return to the poignant opening material, the music surges to a triumphant conclusion based on an augmented version of the whimsical theme.
Live On was commissioned by Diplomat Middle School's staff, faculty and students, in Cape Coral, Florida, and is dedicated to the memory of their Director of Bands, Linda Mann. Director of Orchestras, Roland Forti, championed the commissioning of this piece to honor the life of Linda after her untimely passing in February of 2017. Linda Mann’s impact on the field of music education was profound and wide-reaching. She was a beloved member of the staff at Diplomat Middle School, as well as the music community of Cape Coral and the state of Florida. Linda was highly respected throughout the state, serving as recent past-president of the Florida Bandmasters Association.In discussing the type of piece the school wanted to honor Ms. Mann, they indicated the piece should “depict Linda’s personality: dynamic, sassy, yet thoughtful and almost mentor-like.” They wanted a piece that was upbeat, yet still had moments that were thoughtful, portraying the grief that the Diplomat Middle School community has suffered from the sudden loss of such a beloved teacher.After contemplating their thoughts, I did some research to find inspiration for the piece. This led me to poetry about grief and loss. In time, I stumbled upon a short, yet poignant poem that I felt perfectly depicted the sentiment that I wanted the piece to convey.  That poem is entitled Live On by Chrissie Pinney.Live OnNow as I live onWithout youI hope to keepThe pieces of youThat I loved so dearlyYour mannerismsAnd compassionate characterAnd smiles through struggleSo that youMay live on too -Chrissie PinneyI reached out to Ms. Pinney, and she graciously agreed to allow me to quote her powerful poem in these notes. She expressed that she was deeply touched that her work would inspire me to write a piece in honor of Linda Mann.The piece begins with a poignant, pensive opening section. The use of the musical interval of a tritone between the first two openly voiced chords are used to represent the sadness we all feel from this type of loss. When I sat in front of my piano and started to work on this piece, my hands seemed to naturally and immediately play these first two chords, which set the process in motion of composing the piece.After the somber opening, the piece shifts to a whimsical theme that I hope brings about happy thoughts of Linda and her personality. It was also my intent, however, to include some musical dissonance in the theme that still reflected the bittersweet loss at the same time. The piece develops into a secondary theme that is a quasi inversion of the main fast theme. This section is followed by a return of the opening material, with snippets of the fast theme intertwined, before the piece builds to a triumphant, augmented presentation of the main theme in a lush form to complete the work.It is my hope that in some small way, this piece will bring comfort to those affected by the loss of Linda Mann, and that the music will allow her memory to Live On.–Larry ClarkLakeland, FL 2017.

Concert Band (Score) - Grade 3

SKU: HL.4003881

Composed by Rick Kirby. MusicWorks Grade 3. Concert. 48 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.4003881).

UPC: 888680010089. 9x12 inches.

Depicting three contrasting and intriguing settings from early American lore, Rick Kirby masterfully brings these images to life in this suite for band. The first movement tells the legend of The Phantom Drummer with unique orchestrational effects. The second movement, The Lady's Lament, mourns the loss of loved ones in the Revolutionary War, and the suite concludes with the lively dance Virginia Two-Step. Rich in stylistic and tonal variety, this is an appealing work for concert or festival use. Duration: 8:00.

Three Vocal Solos for Weddings and General Use. By James Biery. For Solo Voice and Keyboard. General, Weddings, Benediction. Level: Moderately Easy . Published by MorningStar Music Publishers.

By Various. Piano/Vocal/Chords Songbook (Arrangements for piano and voice with guitar chords). Softcover. 224 pages. Published by Hal Leonard.

Performed by Joe Satriani. Play It Like It Is (Authentic note-for-note transcriptions). Softcover. With notes and tablature. Size 9x12 inches. 136 pages. Published by Cherry Lane Music.

Grade 3

SKU: CL.012-4983-00

March. Composed by Alexander. Arranged by Glover. Concert Band. Score and set of parts. Composed 2022. Opus III Wind Orchestra Publications #012-4983-00. Published by Opus III Wind Orchestra Publications (CL.012-4983-00).

One of the truly great standard American marches is Russell Alexander’s Colossus of Columbia. This edition for the Barnhouse Heritage of the March series presents this classic march in a concert edition, adhering closely to the original 1901 publication. Toes will be tapping as your band plays this exciting and powerful march. Our highest recommendation!

Orchestra piano(solo), 2(piccolo), 2(English horn), 2(contrabassoon), timpani, percussion, piano, strings (Pf(solo)aEUR2(picc).2(Ca ).2.2(Cbsn)aEUR4.2.2.1aEU RTimpaEURPercaEURPfaEURSt r)

SKU: PE.EP68582

Harmonices Mundi. Composed by Robert Livingston Aldridge. Piano/Keyboard. Edition Peters. Living Composer. Score and Part(s). 100 pages. Edition Peters #98-EP68582. Published by Edition Peters (PE.EP68582).

ISBN 9790300759791. 297 x 420mm inches.

This composition was commissioned anonymously and by the Brevard Music Center in honor of Evan Armstrong North (1982-2011)

"T he task of writing a piece of music for someone who has left the world all too soon is not an easy one. Does one write celebratory music, in honor of his well-lived life? Or does one musically depict the loss of such a beloved young man? I tried to do something of both. The first movement begins with the musical depiction of the loss, a descending scale of despair. As it is a concerto, much of the piece is a dialogue between the soloist and the orchestra. For the most part, the piano is the voice of love and hope while the orchestra is the voice of despair and loss. How does one move forward to live after such a loss? What ensues in the process of the first movement represents a gradual triumph over despair." - Robert Livingston Aldridge

Grade 3

SKU: CL.012-4983-01

March. Composed by Alexander. Arranged by Glover. Concert Band. Extra full score. Composed 2022. Opus III Wind Orchestra Publications #012-4983-01. Published by Opus III Wind Orchestra Publications (CL.012-4983-01).

One of the truly great standard American marches is Russell Alexander’s Colossus of Columbia. This edition for the Barnhouse Heritage of the March series presents this classic march in a concert edition, adhering closely to the original 1901 publication. Toes will be tapping as your band plays this exciting and powerful march. Our highest recommendation!

(The Complete Libretto). By Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924). Amadeus. Softcover. 208 pages. Published by Amadeus Press

Band concert band - Grade 4.5

SKU: CF.SPS75

Composed by Brant Karrick. SWS FS. Carl Fischer Symphonic Performance Series. Set of Score and Parts. With Standard notation. 3+12+12+6+12+12+12+6+6+6+ 6+6+6+9+9+9+6+6+9+9+9+9+6 +12+6+9+3+9+9+40 pages. Duration 6 minutes, 44 seconds. Carl Fischer Music #SPS75. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.SPS75).

ISBN 9781491147702. UPC: 680160905201. 9 x 12 inches. Key: F major.

When Hearts Tremble is an emotion packed piece dedicated to musician friends lost all to soon. This beautiful composition by Brant Karrick reflects on the fragility of human existence, joyous memories of loved ones and their effect on everyone around them, and maintaining hope for what the future will hold when all feels lost. This tour de force piece perfectly displays Karrick's polished compositional craft with impeccable scoring, beautiful melodic writing, and exceptional orchestrational color.
While the day-to-day grind of our lives can be filled with overwhelming obligations, goals and commitments, it is sometimes very easy to forget just how precious and fragile life is . It is so easy to get caught up in our own personal feelings and worries that we sometimes don’t realize and appreciate the many blessings we have, especially friendships . On Wednesday, November 18, 2015 the Jefferson High School Band in Jefferson, Georgia lost two of its members to a fatal car accident . The victims were brothers . Music was a constant part of their lives, and the boys were talented percussionists in the marching band . To help with the grieving process the school and community commissioned this piece to celebrate the lives of William and Alex Trimble .As a father, I cannot imagine losing a child, let alone two, and beginning this piece was very difficult as I felt extreme anguish, especially for the parents . But it was decided the piece should primarily reflect the enthusiasm, youthful spirits and positive influence these two young men demonstrated as they were deeply loved by their band mates, community and family . There are four main themes, each representing the feelings and emotions that are certain to occur after a loss of loved ones . The first theme is a short, introductory fanfare, strong and bold, to stand for courage . A second dance-like melody features a liltingly mixed meter to portray a youthful and carefree innocence . This soon changes into a third more song-like, and stately theme intended to provide encouragement as we move forward through life .The middle of the piece includes a soft transition as two snare drummers give voice to the boys, allowing them to thank their friends and assuring them that it will be okay . This moves directly into a slow melody introduced by the saxophones (Alex, the younger brother was also a saxophonist) and is a time for reflection and allows for feelings of sadness at losing beloved friends . However, a second statement of the same theme, now at full volume with a strong percussion cadence, intends to lift the spirits and allows all friends to unite in joyous celebration of life . Both the enthusiastic dance theme and stately lyrical theme return, now in different keys, and work their way toward the highly energetic burst of glorious sound in the short and wild coda . When Hearts Tremble was written to celebrate the joys of youth and life, and should remind us that our friends and loved ones are precious, and we should live each day to bring more joy into the world and into the lives of others .

(1.0.1.0/0.0+2.1.0,perc,p f/cem,3 sax,str)

SKU: TM.03269SET

Composed by Sigmund Romberg. Set Type: C. Set of parts. Published by Lucks Music Library (TM.03269SET).

Key of F. P/C and Vocal Score in set.

(2D1.1.2.1/2.0+2.1.0,timp ,perc,3 sax,str)

SKU: TM.06497SET

Composed by Sigmund Romberg. Edited by Smith. Set Type: D. Set of parts. Published by Lucks Music Library (TM.06497SET).

Orch. by Smith. Three Little Maids, Let Me Awake, In Old Vienna Town, My Springtime Thou Art, Keep It Dark, Song of Love. P/C in set.

SATB choir, assembly, keyboard accompaniment - Early intermediate

SKU: GI.G-10275

Composed by Gregg Sewell. Celebration Series. Tune Name: Lauren. Sacred. Octavo. With guitar chord names. 8 pages. GIA Publications #10275. Published by GIA Publications (GI.G-10275).

UPC: 785147027515. English.

Beautiful in its simplicity and easy to learn, this piece is a wonderful choice as a benediction or song of sending forth. The melody is first shared as a unison line which the congregation can sing all the way through. The choral parts grow to two-parts with the second stanza, and finally blossom into four parts for the final blessing.

By Zundel. Arranged by Joel Raney / Arnold Sherman. For handbell choir (3-5 octaves). Devotion, Hymntune, Sacred. Grade 3. Handbell score. 8 pages

Choral (SAB Choir)

SKU: HL.365106

Composed by Diane Hannibal. Arranged by Stacey Nordmeyer. Daybreak Choral Series. Communion, Easter, General Worship, Lent, Sacred. Octavo. Duration 200 seconds. Published by Daybreak Music (HL.365106).

UPC: 840126960853. 6.75x10.5x0.029 inches. Colossians 3:15, Luke 24:30, Psalm 23:5.

With a pristine quote from the classic hymn tune BREAD OF LIFE, this piece raises the curtain on a winsome invitation to the Lord's Supper. Mercy and forgiveness draw the seeker in lovely melodic strains that rise and fall like a prayer as the anthem unfolds. A lush and satisfying chorus showcases the timbre of the choir while passionately calling the faithful to “Bring every burden, bring every need... to the table of peace.” Highly recommended!

Chamber Music harp

SKU: CF.H84

Composed by Marcel Tournier. Edited by Carl Swanson. Collection - Score. Carl Fischer Music #H84. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.H84).

ISBN 9781491165539. UPC: 680160924530.

Marce l Tournier (1879–1951) was one of the most important harpist/composers in the history of the harp. Over his long career, he added a significant catalogue of very beautiful works to the harp repertoire. Many of his solo works, almost one hundred, have been consistently in print since they were first published. But in recent years harpist Carl Swanson has discovered a treasure trove of pieces by Tournier heretofore unknown and unpublished. These include the Déchiffrages in this edition, as well as songs set for voice, harp, and string quartet, and ensemble arrangements of some of his most beloved works.All of the works that Carl Swanson found were in manuscript only. With the help of the great harpist Catherine Michel, he has put these pieces into playable form, and they are being published for the very first time. He and Catherine often had to re-notate passages to show clearly how they could be played, adding fingerings and musical nuances, tempos, pedals, and pedal diagrams.Tournier wrote these pieces when he was in his 20s, and before he became the impressionistic composer those familiar with his work know so well. They are written in the late nineteenth-century romantic style that was being taught at that time at the Paris Conservatory. They are beautiful short, intermediate level pieces by a first rate composer, and add much needed repertoire to that level of playing.
Marcel Tournier (1879–1951) was one of the most important harpist/composers in the history of the harp. He graduated from the Paris Conservatory with a first prize in harp in 1899. He also studied composition there and won a second prize in the prestigious Prix de Rome competition, as well as a first prize in the Rossini competition, another major composition competition of the day. From 1912 to 1948 he taught the harp class at the Paris Conservatory. But composition, and almost entirely, composition for the harp, was the main focus of his life. His published works, including many works for solo harp, a few for harp and other instruments, and several songs, number around one hundred pieces.In 2019, while researching Tournier for my edition MARCEL TOURNIER: 10 Pieces for Solo Harp, I discovered that there was a significant list of pieces by this composer that had never been published and were not included on any inventory of his music. Principal on this list were his déchiffrages (pronounced day-she-frahge, like the second syllable in the word garage).The word déchiffrage means sight-reading exercise, and that was their original purpose. Tournier numbered and dated these pieces, with dates ranging from 1900 to 1910, indicating that they were in all likelihood written for Alphonse Hasselmans’ class at the Paris Conservatory. Tournier was probably told how long to make each one, and how difficult. They range in length from two to four pages, with only one in the whole series extending to five, and from thirty to fifty-five measures, with only one extending to eight-five. The level of difficulty for the whole series is intermediate, with some at the easier end, and others at the middle or upper end.We don’t know if they were intended to test students trying to enter the harp class, or if they were used to test students in the class as they played their exams. The fact that they were never published means that students had to not only sight read them, but sight read them in manuscript form!I worked from digital images of the original manuscripts, which are in the private music library of a harpist in France. She had twenty-seven of these pieces, and this edition is the second in a series of three that will publish, for the first time, all of the ones that I have found thus far. The manuscripts themselves consist of little more than notes on the page: no pedals written in, no fingerings, few if any musical nuances and tempo markings, and no clear indication as to which hand plays which notes. These would have been difficult to sight read indeed! My collaborator Catherine Michel and I added musical nuances, fingerings, pedals and pedal diagrams, and tempo indications to put them into their current condition.At the time these were written, Tournier would have been in his twenties, having just graduated from the harp class himself (1899), and might still have been in the composition class. These are the earliest known pieces that he wrote, and they were written at the very beginning of a cultural revolution and upheaval in Paris that was to completely and profoundly alter musical composition. Tournier himself would eventually be caught up in this new way of composing. But not yet.All of the déchiffrages are written in the late romantic style that was being taught at that time at the Paris Conservatory. Each one is built on a clear musical idea, and the variety over the whole series makes them wonderful to listen to as well as to learn. They are also great technical lessons for intermediate level players.The obvious question is: Why didn’t Tournier publish these pieces, and why didn’t he list them on his own inventory of his music? Actually, four of them were published, with small changes, as his collection Four Preludes, Op. 16. These came from the ones that will be in volume three of this series from Carl Fischer. His first large piece, Theme and Variations, was published in 1908, and his two best known and frequently played pieces, Féerie and Au Matin, followed in 1912 and 1913 respectively. We can only speculate because there is so much still unknown about Tournier and about these unpublished pieces. He may have looked at them, fresh out of school as he was, as simply a way to make some quick money. The first several pieces that he did publish are much longer than any of the déchiffrages. So it could be that, because of their shorter length, as well as the earlier musical style that he was moving away from, he chose not to publish any more of them. We may never know the full story. But all these years later, more than a century after they were composed, we can listen to them for their own merits, and not measured against whatever else was going on at the time. The numbers on these pieces are the ones that Tournier assigned to them, and the gaps between some of the numbers suggest that there are perhaps thirty or more of these pieces still to be found, if they still exist. They will, in all likelihood, be found, as these were, in private collections of harp music, not in institutional libraries. We can only hope that more of them will be located in years to come.—Carl SwansonGlossary of French Musical TermsTournier was very precise about how he wanted his pieces played, and carefully communicated this with many musical indications. He used standard Italian words, but also used French words and phrases, and occasionally mixed both together. It is extremely important to observe and understand everything that he put on the page.Here is a list of the French words and phrases found in the pieces in this edition, with their translation.bien chanté well sung, melodiousdécidé firm, resolutediminu peu à peu becoming softer little by littleen diminuant becoming softeren riten. slowing downen se perdant dying awayGaiement gayly, lightlygracieusement gracefully, elegantlyLéger light, quickLent slowmarquez le chant emphasize the melodyModéré at a moderate tempopeu à peu animé more lively, little by littleplus lent slowerRetenu held backsans lenteur without slownesssans retinir without slowing downsec drily, abruptlysoutenu sustained, heldtrès arpegé very arpeggiatedTrès Modéré Very moderate tempoTrès peu retenu slightly held backTrès soutenu very sustainedun peu retenu slightly held back.

Grade 3

SKU: CL.012-4983-75

Composed by Alexander. Arranged by Glover. Concert Band. Oversized, spiral-bound score. Composed 2022. Opus III Wind Orchestra Publications #012-4983-75. Published by Opus III Wind Orchestra Publications (CL.012-4983-75).

Orchestra

SKU: SU.91580100

For Orchestra. Composed by Steven Mercurio. Vocal/Choral, Opera. CD (Audio). Subito Music Corporation #91580100. Published by Subito Music Corporation (SU.91580100).

A Grateful Tail - Movement by Movement Siriusly, Dog Star Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, has been used by travelers and navigators for thousands of years as a guiding star and so it is here as the opening movement for the symphony. Sirius, the cornerstone to the constellation Canis Maggiore or Big Dog sits at the foot of Orion, the hunter, leading the way. Highly cinematic, the movement evokes both a musical and visual sense of the mythological and mysterious elements of Sirius and its Dog Godstar secrets. From the clarion call of the opening, Sirius theme, the sound is buoyant and frisky emulating the nature of doggy playtime. Puppy pleasures abound as a doggy four-step, my turn on the traditional American two-step dance, is introduced. The movement transforms into an actual orchestrated frolic of small, large and medium dog barks beginning with the winds (smaller dogs) and ultimately, the big dog, brass. The movement climaxes with the coda or, Dog Park, where the winds and the brass bark and play together over the, doggy ostinato four-step rhythm, culminating with the final call of the Sirius theme. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, Peacefully It's all in a dog's day and life. Tranquility presides over this supremely gentle, intermezzo-like movement. After a day of play, every dog needs rest. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, is a lyrical andante inspired by the profound serenity and beauty of a dog at rest. The Last Will and Testament of Silverdene Emblem O'Neill Based on a powerful piece of prose written by the American playwright, Eugene O'Neill this text was intended as a consolation piece for Carlotta, his wife, who had become grief-stricken over the loss of their beloved dog, the Dalmatian known as Blemie.Written for a singing actor who personifies the role of Blemie, a dog at the end of his life, the movement plays like a one act, musical drama as we follow Blemie through a wonderfully three-dimensional, emotional and psychological journey writing his Last Will and Testament, for those who have loved him. Wagging the Tail: Ossia Fido's Lament A life-affirming rumba/samba using Blemie's final words from O'Neill's text, this final movement employs the most unique American musical invention, the gospel choir. In order to make the dances come alive, this movement also calls upon the colors of a rhythm section. Creating the spirit of an Irish Funeral, the movement is a joyful and revival-like celebration of a dog's life as its spirit lives on forever in the hearts and minds of dog lovers everywhere. Remember Me, remember me! My spirit is wagging a grateful tail. Published by: Subito Music Publishing Release Date: July 9, 2013.

Choir Secular Double Choir and Violoncello

SKU: PE.EP73479

Composed by Francis Pott. Choral Works (inc. Oratorios). Edition Peters. Living Composer. Vocal Score. 164 pages. Edition Peters #98-EP73479. Published by Edition Peters (PE.EP73479).

ISBN 9790577019888. 297 x 210mm inches. English.

At First Light was commissioned by Eric Bruskin, a resident of Philadelphia, USA, in memory of his mother. Eric had a longstanding enthusiasm for my work, and I was touched to be the person he approached for a task which is both a privilege and a daunting responsibility. In a sense, no music can ever measure up to the weight of love or the hope of consolation vested in it under such circumstances - but in memory I carry the deaths of both my own parents, and I was able to draw upon that. Eric's fondness for my Cello Sonata (itself written in memoriam) led him to ask that I include a solo 'cello part in the new work - but his attachment also to my polyphonic sacred choral writing meant that he wanted a centrepiece which would be both a showcase of that approach and the celebration of a life well lived. Therefore, the seven movements of At First Light arrange themselves as a series of slow meditations surrounding an exuberant 9-minute motet in which the lamenting cello falls temporarily silent.

Eric's Jewish faith meant that approaching an agnostic humanist brought up within the Anglican tradition was hardly free of problems! Gradually, though, I was able to win his approval for a collated mosaic of texts. This embraces some liturgical Latin (necessary for the motet) as the shared preserve of broad western culture in general, but balances it with a secular approach to loss, celebration, remembrance and the many shades of our mourning those whom we see no longer. Eric was adamant that he did not want the title Requiem; but what has emerged is still a form of semi-secular Requiem in all but name, taking its title instead from a phrase in the poem by Thomas Blackburn set as the third movement. This seemed to suggest succinctly how the loss of one very close to us is an awakening into an unfamiliar world where everything is changed. Following the exuberant central movement, the texts by the Lebanese-born Kahlil Gibran and the US, Kentuckian poet Wendell Berry first address the departed loved one directly, then place us within an imaginary funeral cortege, where the perennial and universal in human experience become personal without subscribing explicitly to any particular faith (or lack of it). The final text of all is a translation of a Hebraic prayer, requested and provided by Eric Bruskin, which serves to mirror its Latin counterpart heard at the outset.

Throughout , the lamenting cello represents a commentary on the experience articulated in the text. It evokes and, in a sense, tries to embrace and sanctify the individual existential journeys of the bereft, as they in turn seek to make their own sense of what the short-lived Second World War poet Alun Lewis called 'the unbearable beauty of the dead' (movement 5).

In a modern world hostage to ever greater menace, displacement, bloodshed and anguish, I hope fervently that this music not only brings a measure of solace to the person who commissioned it, but also makes its own small contribution to bailing out the sinking ship of humanity.

By Gail Levin. Arranged by Herbert Levin. Published by Theodore Presser Company.

By Henry Mancini. P/V/G Composer Collection. Softcover. 144 pages. Published by Hal Leonard