Metric Modulations, Vol. 2

SKU: SU.12800030

BachScholar Edition Vol. 30 – 4 Medieval Portraits (18 pages) offers advanced-level pianists and concert artists four programmatic concert pieces of immense musical interest, imagination, and virtuosity, all of which have medieval titles and employ medieval style compositional devices (i.e., open and parallel fifths, tetrachord progressions, metric modulations, a statement of Dies irae in No. 4, etc.). The cycle takes a total of ca. 17 minutes to perform in entirety, although the pieces can also be performed singly or in pairs: 1. In Days of Yore 2. The Jester’s Delight 3. The Old Castle 4. St. George and the Dragon Piano Composed: 2011 Published by: BachScholar.

SKU: PR.164002120

UPC: 680160037582.

Works of chamber music including flute and strings are not nearly as numerous as those for clarinet, or even the oboe. Probably the reason for this is the less assertive, more pure tone the flute possesses - it can't compete for volume or range with the clarinet, except in its top octave, and the oboe's tone is more penetrating and easily discerned from within a string texture. Consequently, composers who have written for flute and strings have done so in lightweight divertimento works: compare, for instance, the delicate flute quartets of Mozart with his monumental quintet for clarinet and strings.   When Karl and Joan Karber approached me with the ideas of writing a work for flute and string trio, I originally thought it would be best to write a humorous, rather offhand piece - but a look at their repertoire (mostly comprised of smaller works of the Rococo period) convinced me that it was the last thing they needed. In spite of the challenge (or maybe because of it?), I determined to write a large work, and a serious work. Zephyrus (named for the God of the West Wind, in deference to the flute) is a three-movement work, with each movement cast in a very different form, but all three being built of the same twelve-note series. There is also a rhythmic motive and a pair of themes that appear in all three movements.   The first movement plays with the idea of contrast and persuasion. The flute, at the outset, is the hell-for-leather protagonist, charging and swooping around the strings - who seem oddly unconcerned by his passion. Indeed, they have a more somber song to sing - and as the movement unfolds, the flute becomes less and less active, while the strings become increasingly enlivened. By the midpoint, when all four instruments are finally in the same meter and the same tempo, the flute's energy has finally infected the other three players, and this energy does not let up until the movement's abrupt final cadence.   The second movement begins with a tag from the first - as if the energy left over was too great to simply stop. At length, though, a very poignant flute melody appears over an almost bluesy harmony in the strings. After this has been fully exposed, a slight increase in motion, marked gently rocking in triplets, features a theme-fragment from Leonard Bernstein's Symphony No. 2 (Kaddish). Bernstein died as I was writing this work, and it seemed quite natural to encourage what was already implicit in the music, and create an Elegy for L.B. The music rises and peaks, then in the recapitulation of the opening the Kaddish theme reappears, as the ensemble suggests a gentle song of sleep.   The final movement is a Rondo-Variations form, with the slight alteration of adding the main theme of the second movement in what would be the trio of the form. The ritornello theme is a kind of ethnic dance music, almost an allusion to the Klezmer ensembles of Eastern Europe. The successive episodes between the ritornelli are loosely organized variations on the basic theme, but always beginning with a metric modulation, a rhythmic changing of gears. The movement reaches and apex of speed and furious pulsing, then abruptly pirouttes, and finishes.   Zephyrus was written between April and November of 1990 in Austin, Aspen, and Honolulu, and is dedicated to Karl Kraber and The Chamber Soloists of Austin. --Dan Welcher.

SKU: PR.16400212S

UPC: 680160037605.

Works of chamber music including flute and strings are not nearly as numerous as those for clarinet, or even the oboe. Probably the reason for this is the less assertive, more pure tone the flute possesses - it can't compete for volume or range with the clarinet, except in its top octave, and the oboe's tone is more penetrating and easily discerned from within a string texture. Consequently, composers who have written for flute and strings have done so in lightweight divertimento works: compare, for instance, the delicate flute quartets of Mozart with his monumental quintet for clarinet and strings.   When Karl and Joan Karber approached me with the ideas of writing a work for flute and string trio, I originally thought it would be best to write a humorous, rather offhand piece - but a look at their repertoire (mostly comprised of smaller works of the Rococo period) convinced me that it was the last thing they needed. In spite of the challenge (or maybe because of it?), I determined to write a large work, and a serious work. Zephyrus (named for the God of the West Wind, in deference to the flute) is a three-movement work, with each movement cast in a very different form, but all three being built of the same twelve-note series. There is also a rhythmic motive and a pair of themes that appear in all three movements.   The first movement plays with the idea of contrast and persuasion. The flute, at the outset, is the hell-for-leather protagonist, charging and swooping around the strings - who seem oddly unconcerned by his passion. Indeed, they have a more somber song to sing - and as the movement unfolds, the flute becomes less and less active, while the strings become increasingly enlivened. By the midpoint, when all four instruments are finally in the same meter and the same tempo, the flute's energy has finally infected the other three players, and this energy does not let up until the movement's abrupt final cadence.   The second movement begins with a tag from the first - as if the energy left over was too great to simply stop. At length, though, a very poignant flute melody appears over an almost bluesy harmony in the strings. After this has been fully exposed, a slight increase in motion, marked gently rocking in triplets, features a theme-fragment from Leonard Bernstein's Symphony No. 2 (Kaddish). Bernstein died as I was writing this work, and it seemed quite natural to encourage what was already implicit in the music, and create an Elegy for L.B. The music rises and peaks, then in the recapitulation of the opening the Kaddish theme reappears, as the ensemble suggests a gentle song of sleep.   The final movement is a Rondo-Variations form, with the slight alteration of adding the main theme of the second movement in what would be the trio of the form. The ritornello theme is a kind of ethnic dance music, almost an allusion to the Klezmer ensembles of Eastern Europe. The successive episodes between the ritornelli are loosely organized variations on the basic theme, but always beginning with a metric modulation, a rhythmic changing of gears. The movement reaches and apex of speed and furious pulsing, then abruptly pirouttes, and finishes.   Zephyrus was written between April and November of 1990 in Austin, Aspen, and Honolulu, and is dedicated to Karl Kraber and The Chamber Soloists of Austin. --Dan Welcher.

SKU: HL.1416717

18.0x30.0x8.5 inches.

Taiga Keyboard is an evolution of the award-winning Taiga synthesizer. Taiga gave users a boundary-smashing suite of unique modern Pittsburgh Modular analog synthesizer innovations. Now in Taiga Keyboard, that same powerful suite of tools acts as a foundation in this expression keyboard instrument. Exploring the larger keyboard format, spreading controls out, and adding larger knobs make sound sculpting while performing easier than ever. We've also added additional modulation sources, additional controls, a full-size 37 key premium aftertouch-enabled keybed, and a first-of-its-kind, modular expansion bay. Taiga Keyboard oscillators Waveforms generated by the three Taiga Keyboard oscillators stretch beyond the basic geometric shapes and sounds associated with analog snythesis. Taiga Keyboard waveforms pass through up to three proprietary, cascading waveshapers designed to precisely manipulate their symmetry and harmonic content. In addition, each oscillator includes a robust six-stage wave folder to add even more complexity and depth to the diverse sonic palate of Taiga Keyboard. Dedicated coarse and fine controls deliver maximum flexibility & control over the full range of each oscillator. The “Pittsburgh Filter” The Pittsburgh filter has defined the sound of Pittsburgh Modular from the moment it was introduced. A signature gummy and relaxed sound with no dead spots that has been tweaked to perfection. It offers a warm, smooth sweep through the full frequency range and a sweet resonance that does not roll off the low end. This generation of the Pittsburgh filter is specifically designed to ensure a remarkable interplay with Taiga Keyboard's oscillators. Pittsburgh Dynamics Controller Pittsburgh's new Dynamics technology imparts Taiga Keyboard with a uniquely organic depth and presence. By simultaneously managing both amplitude and harmonic content, the Pittsburgh Dynamics Controller expands beyond the one-dimensional VCA found in other synthesizers. It does this by utilizing new advancements from traditional low pass gates to add additional definition and dimension to the voice of Taiga Keyboard. When used in low pass gate mode, sounds shed harmonic content and become warmer as they decrease in volume. This mimics how sound waves react to their environment. Because of this connection, the Taiga Keyboard sounds more natural or complex compared to other instruments. Analog Echos Echos is a beautifully dark analog delay tuned to enhance the source material by repeating it over and over. Echos utilizes a pair of bucket brigade delay chips to produce a classic voltage-controllable analog delay effect that helps to place the sounds of Taiga Keyboard in a simulated environment. Open Architecture Taiga Keyboard has an internally defined signal path. Patch cables are not necessary to begin exploring. Attach a MIDI keyboard and plug the o.

SKU: BT.DHP-1064014-020

9x12 inches. English-German.

The French composer Louis Bourgeois lived from c.1510 to 1560. Bourgeois was cantor in Geneva and, commissioned by John Calvin, he composed melodies for metrical (rhyming) versions of the psalms. After completing about a hundred one-part psalms, he made some four-part arrangements, which were denounced and even resulted in his imprisonment for a day. Later, Bourgeois published a number of psalm collections, and judging from his book Le droict chemin de musique he was also an excellent educator. The melodies Bourgeois composed, are (contrary to Gregorian chants) particularly suitable for community singing. This applies to his hymn tune Saint Michael, which is why this melody hasbeen used for various texts, written for many occasions. John Blanken made this arrangement for a wedding ceremony: an occasion in which faith and trust play a large - if not the largest - role. Hence the title Hymn of Faith. The arrangement contains four verses of the hymn. After a majestic opening the hymn follows twice, the second verse being embellished in the tenor register. After a short interlude verse three follows, played by a quartet. The majestic opening is then repeated as a modulation into the fourth verse, which concludes the work in a brilliant tutti.

De melodieën van de France componist Louis Bourgeois (ca. 1510-1560) zijn heel geschikt voor volkszang - zo ook de hymne ST Michael. Niet voor niets is deze melodie gebruikt voor vele liedteksten voor uiteenlopende gelegenheden. JohnBlanken maakte dit arrangement voor een trouwdienst, een gelegenheid waarbij vertrouwen een grote rol speelt, vandaar de titelHymn of Faith. Het arrangement herbergt vier vrezen. Na een majestueuze opening volgt de hymnetwee keer, waarbij het tweede vers wordt omgespeeld in het tenorregister. Na een kort tussenspel volgt vers drie in een zetting voor kwartet. De opening wordt herhaald als modulatie naar het vierde vers, waarmee het werk in eenstralend tutti afsluit.

Der Komponist, Kantor und Pädagoge Louis Bourgeois lebte im 16. Jahrhundert in Genf und komponierte Psalm- und Kirchenliedmelodien, die sich besonders gut für den Gemeindegesang eigneten. Die vorliegende Bearbeitung einer seiner Melodien schrieb John Blanken für eine Hochzeitszeremonie - ein Anlass, bei dem Glaube und Vertrauen eine große Rolle spielen: Daher der Titel Hymn of Faith. Ein wunderbares Stück ernste“ Musik, das zu vielen Gelegenheiten passt.

SKU: HL.438839

UPC: 852940000929. 5.25x19.5x2.5 inches.

With the Carl Martin Quattro being so popular throughout the years, Carl thought to himself, “I could really use that same sort of high quality, straight forward, simple to use package for my acoustics as well”. The Acoustic GiG begins with Carl Martin's award winning Compressor/Limiter circuit. Individual controls for compression and level allow for simple and easy operation. Next, is the well known and highly respected Vintage Style Echo with controls for level, tone, repeat and tap-tempo, plus the 'Dotted 8th Note' switch for the most beautiful musical echo. The Reverb is a new Analogue/Digital Hybrid, tailored after the vintage-style spring reverbs so suitable for guitar. A beautiful, shimmering, yet warm reverb with the added bonus of becoming a more modulation/chorus/reverb texture at higher settings. The Boost simply allows you to cut though the mix with a crystal clean volume increase of up to 15dB for your solos. No change in your tone, and no increased 'quackiness' from your piezo pickups! To gain maximum EQ shaping, we found it necessary to include a high quality semi parametric EQ. We incorporated this section directly from Carl Martin's famous 3 Band Parametric Pre-Amp which allows for the specific shaping of tone from your guitar and pickup. To avoid potential feedback, practice has show the use of a phase inverter circuitry to be very efficient... so of course the Acoustic GiG has a Phase Shift switch. To complete the Acoustic GiG, we have incorporated a tuner and a overall mute switch. On the back panel are all the needed connections, 1/4″ input, unbalanced 1/4″ output, high quality balanced XLR out with ground lift, an insert section placed right after the boost and before the EQ section, and 9V DC input with a direct DC output if you find the need for an extra pedal.