Conversation Waltz

SKU: GI.G-1050

UPC: 785147005025.

Conve rsational Solfege is a curriculum for developing music literacy skills. It is organized around increasingly complex rhythmic and melodic content. Each new rhythmic or melodic element is discovered first in patterns and then reinforced with folk songs, rhymes, and classical examples. This CD provides 29 classical selections referenced in Conversational Solfege Level 3. These examples provide reinforcement for emerging literacy skills, and they also enable students to listen to wonderful classical examples with greater attention. Listening to classical music can be challenging for elementary students. With nothing to hang onto, the many notes can be too much to comprehend and attention soon wanes. But with minimal literacy skills, students will have enough musical information to discover that classical music can be accessible and appealing. In the booklet, timings are given for each selection. The portions of the music that are readable by the students are reproduced. Whether using this CD with Conversational Solfege instructional materials or simply as a resource of classical music with simple-to-read rhythmic and melodic material, both teachers and students will delight in discovering this wonderful music through literacy.   CONTENTS Conversational Solfege Unit 14: 1. March of the Toreadors • Georges Bizet, 2. Slavonic Dance • Antonín Dvorák, 3. Russian Dance • Igor Stravinsky, 4. Dance of the Reed Pipes • Peter Tchaikovsky Conversational Solfege Unit 15: 5. Morning • Edvard Grieg, 6. Minuet • George Frideric Handel, 7. Waltz • Johann Strauss II, 8. Minuet in G • J. S. Bach Conversational Solfege Unit 18: 9. Westminster Chimes, 10. Ode to Joy • Ludwig van Beethoven Conversational Solfege Unit 20: 11. The Moldau • Bedrich Smetana, 12. The Wild Horseman • Robert Schumann, 13. Anitra’s Dance • Edvard Grieg Conversational Solfege Unit 22: 14. Violin Concerto in D • Ludwig van Beethoven, 15. Symphony No. 6 • Ludwig van Beethoven, 16. Roses from the South • Johann Strauss II, 17. Symphony No. 1 • Johannes Brahms, 18. Polovtsian Dance • Alexander Borodin, 19. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 20. Etude for Piano • Frédéric Chopin Conversational Solfege Unit 23: 21. Natoma’s Dagger Dance • Victor Herbert Conversational Solfege Unit 24: 22. Ground in D Major • Henry Purcell Conversational Solfege Unit 25: 23. Violin Concerto in D • Ludwig van Beethoven, 24. Sumer Is Icumen In, 25. Symphony No. 9, “From the New World” • Antonin Dvorak Conversational Solfege Unit 26: 26. Pachelbel Canon • Johann Pachelbel, 27. Kaiser Waltz • Johann Strauss II, 28. Marmotte • Ludwig van Beethoven, 29. Autumn — Four Seasons • Antonio Vivaldi John M. Feierabend, PhD, has spent decades compiling songs and rhymes from the memories of the American people, in hopes that those treasures would be preserved for future generations. Those resources have served as the basis of his two music education curricula: First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege. John Feierabend is Professor Emeritus and former Director of Music Education at The Hartt School of the University of Hartford.

SKU: HL.49015423

ISBN 9790001083195. 9.0x12.0x0.148 inches.

Lively Conversation * Sad Waltz * An old tale * Swinging Dance * Floating Melody * Skipping Dance * An Argument * Finger Game * Sad Monologue * Boys Dance * Girls Dance * Group Dance * Alone * Round Dance * Sad Song * Twirling Dance * Teaching Notes.

SKU: ST.C463

ISBN 9790570814633.

This volume contains contrasting works by Federico Ruiz spanning quite a large and rich period of his compositional output that goes from his early Micro-Suite (1971), to lilting, sweet and rhythmic Venezuelan waltzes passing by the mysterious, intimate, and intense Nocturno (1994) plus pieces originally composed for film, and theatre. Real eclecticism in styles, moods and atmospheres that show Ruizâ??s talents and scope.

The Nocturno is a deep, intriguing, substantial piece presenting a satisfying length which moves from different paths of the mind and the heart written in an abstract, chromatic idiom, that does not dissociate itself from the Venezuelan waltz and the joropo. One could perhaps say that there is a deconstruction of the latter. For the interpretation, the composer has suggested to me that it is allowed to have some flexibility in the tempo. Ruiz kindly dedicated it to me, and I have had the pleasure of performing it in many concerts.

Although all highly expressive, the Three Venezuelan Waltzes present in this collection as well as the piece titled Aliseo, are works that are close to the colourful Venezuelan folk tradition. Federico Ruiz had given me two of them when we first met: â??Tu Presenciaâ?? (1981) and â??Eloísaâ?? (1989) and then I attended a performance of the play â??Office Number Oneâ?? by Miguel Otero Silva with a fantastic actor, Elba Escobar in the role of Carmen Rosa and, I just fell in love and was very moved by the incidental music that I later discovered, by reading the programme, had been written by Federico Ruiz. Later that evening, I called him and asked to please make a piano score of the composition, so I could have the desired piece in my hands. That is how â??Carmen Rosaâ? waltz (1987) came to exist in a piano version.

â??Elois aâ?? is another Venezuelan waltz with more jazzy harmonies where precision in the rhythm and elegant playing is also essential, as it is in most of his pieces.

â??Tu Presenciaâ?? was dedicated to his mother, Margarita. It is written with the structure of the Venezuelan waltz, which consists of a nostalgic subject that leads to a faster, happier middle section where the typical graceful rhythm is given by the left-hand accompaniment figure of a dotted crotchet followed by a quaver and a crotchet.

The craft and magic found in the five movements of the Micro-Suite is based on a dodecaphonic row by Ernst Krenek. They remind us of the idiom of the Second Viennese School. These real miniatures seem to tell short stories. The â??Preludioâ?? is full of humour. I imagine dancing figures given by the jumps all over the keyboard and extreme dynamics; the phrases give the impression of a conversation with many questions and answers. The â??Invenciónâ?? is a kaleidoscopic piece where the hands mirror each other. The â??Passacagliaâ?? is the longest movement, at just over a minute where the prime motif is repeated three times on the bass line. For its construction Federico Ruiz uses as well the retrograde and the retrograde inversion of the twelve-tone series. It must be played expressively with dynamic contrasts between pianissimo and louder events. The â??Scherzoâ?? has repetitive motifs of a minor third in both hands and the â??Finalâ?? displays virtuosic passages for the pianist.

Aliseo was originally written for the film â??Aire libreâ? (1995), by Luis Armando Roche. It contains elements of diverse types of Venezuelan joropo. In the film, the character of Aliseo Carvallo is played by the composer himself who performs this piece on a harpsichord to welcome scientists Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland one day at the turn of the 1800â??s, as a sample of the new music from the South American land. It presents the refinement of the late European classical era in fusion with Venezuelan folk music.

SKU: BT.DHP-1063946-140

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dut ch.

The Hida High School is in a highland city called Takayama in Gifu Prefecture. Takayama City has some of the highest mountains in Japan, atmospheric rows of houses and streets, and a beautiful landscape. The magnificent views from these mountains can be described as a paradise above the clouds. When the composer visited there in the summer of 2001, the lovely flowers spreading through the valley and the refreshing air welcomed him. The flowers looked as if they were fashionably dressed and fully enjoying conversation and a short summer at a reunion party. The composer was inspired by this scenery to compose this piece. The musical party opens with happy greetings of a reunion andjoyful themes follow one after another. A light xylophone solo, a waltz and an adagio featuring alternate solos by alto saxophone, euphonium and trumpet lead to a brilliant finale featuring brass and percussion played in irregular time. A beautiful musical picture that your band will enjoy performing for many years.

Takayama is een hooggelegen stad in de Gifu-prefectuur (Japan). Het oostelijke stadsdeel Tatamidaira ligt tussen schitterende bergen die behoren tot de noordelijke Japanse Alpen. Toen de componist in de zomer deze plaats bezocht,werd hij ge nspireerd tot het schrijven van Alpine Flowers’ Party! Het muzikale festijn begint met opgewekte klanken, waarna meer vrolijke scènes elkaar opvolgen. Een xylofoonsolo, een wals en een adagio met wisselende solo’svoor altsaxofoon, euphonium en trompet leiden naar een briljante finale met veel maatwisselingen, waarin het koper en het slagwerk de leiding nemen op weg naar een spetterend slot.

Als Itaru Sakai im Sommer 2001 die reizvolle Region um den Berg Tatamidaira in Japan besuchte, wurde er von einem Meer von Blumen empfangen. Sie sahen aus, als würden sie in festlichem Aufzug eine unterhaltsame Party feiern und den kurzen Sommer genießen. Diese Szenerie inspirierte den Komponisten zu Alpine Flowers’ Party! Die musikalische Party beginnt mit einer herzlichen Begrüßung, dann folgt ein fröhlicher Programmpunkt dem anderen. Ein spritziges Xylophonsolo, ein Walzer und ein Adagio mit abwechselnden Soli für Altsaxophon, Euphonium und Trompete führen zu einem brillanten Finale, in dem Blechbläser und Schlagzeug im Vordergrund stehen. Feiern Sie mit!

Séjournant au coeur des Alpes japonaises, Itaru Sakai est surpris par le doux parfum et les couleurs des fleurs. Il se laisse inspirer par la beauté harmonieuse qui se révèle devant ses yeux. Débute alors le délicieux festival des fleurs alpines. La conversation est animée. Un solo de xylophone apporte une touche de légèreté, une valse fait virevolter le développement, puis vient un adagio qui égrène les solos et mène vers un finale brillant.

Soggiornando nel cuore della splendida catena montuosa delle Alpi giapponesi, Itaru Sakai è sorpreso del dolce profumo e dai colori dei fiori. Si lascia ispirare dalla bellezza armoniosa che si rivela ai suoi occhi. Ha inizio il delizioso festival dei fiori alpini. La conversazione è animata. Un assolo di xilofono apporta un tocco di leggerezza, un valzer fa piroettare lo sviluppo del tema, ed in seguito un adagio snoda i soli e accompagna il brano verso un finale brillante.

SKU: BT.DHP-1063946-010

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dut ch.

The Hida High School is in a highland city called Takayama in Gifu Prefecture. Takayama City has some of the highest mountains in Japan, atmospheric rows of houses and streets, and a beautiful landscape. The magnificent views from these mountains can be described as a paradise above the clouds. When the composer visited there in the summer of 2001, the lovely flowers spreading through the valley and the refreshing air welcomed him. The flowers looked as if they were fashionably dressed and fully enjoying conversation and a short summer at a reunion party. The composer was inspired by this scenery to compose this piece. The musical party opens with happy greetings of a reunion andjoyful themes follow one after another. A light xylophone solo, a waltz and an adagio featuring alternate solos by alto saxophone, euphonium and trumpet lead to a brilliant finale featuring brass and percussion played in irregular time. A beautiful musical picture that your band will enjoy performing for many years.

Takayama is een hooggelegen stad in de Gifu-prefectuur (Japan). Het oostelijke stadsdeel Tatamidaira ligt tussen schitterende bergen die behoren tot de noordelijke Japanse Alpen. Toen de componist in de zomer deze plaats bezocht,werd hij ge nspireerd tot het schrijven van Alpine Flowers’ Party! Het muzikale festijn begint met opgewekte klanken, waarna meer vrolijke scènes elkaar opvolgen. Een xylofoonsolo, een wals en een adagio met wisselende solo’svoor altsaxofoon, euphonium en trompet leiden naar een briljante finale met veel maatwisselingen, waarin het koper en het slagwerk de leiding nemen op weg naar een spetterend slot.

Als Itaru Sakai im Sommer 2001 die reizvolle Region um den Berg Tatamidaira in Japan besuchte, wurde er von einem Meer von Blumen empfangen. Sie sahen aus, als würden sie in festlichem Aufzug eine unterhaltsame Party feiern und den kurzen Sommer genießen. Diese Szenerie inspirierte den Komponisten zu Alpine Flowers’ Party! Die musikalische Party beginnt mit einer herzlichen Begrüßung, dann folgt ein fröhlicher Programmpunkt dem anderen. Ein spritziges Xylophonsolo, ein Walzer und ein Adagio mit abwechselnden Soli für Altsaxophon, Euphonium und Trompete führen zu einem brillanten Finale, in dem Blechbläser und Schlagzeug im Vordergrund stehen. Feiern Sie mit!

Séjournant au coeur des Alpes japonaises, Itaru Sakai est surpris par le doux parfum et les couleurs des fleurs. Il se laisse inspirer par la beauté harmonieuse qui se révèle devant ses yeux. Débute alors le délicieux festival des fleurs alpines. La conversation est animée. Un solo de xylophone apporte une touche de légèreté, une valse fait virevolter le développement, puis vient un adagio qui égrène les solos et mène vers un finale brillant.

Soggiornando nel cuore della splendida catena montuosa delle Alpi giapponesi, Itaru Sakai è sorpreso del dolce profumo e dai colori dei fiori. Si lascia ispirare dalla bellezza armoniosa che si rivela ai suoi occhi. Ha inizio il delizioso festival dei fiori alpini. La conversazione è animata. Un assolo di xilofono apporta un tocco di leggerezza, un valzer fa piroettare lo sviluppo del tema, ed in seguito un adagio snoda i soli e accompagna il brano verso un finale brillante.

SKU: PR.11441690S

UPC: 680160626021. 9 x 12 inches.

Ran's third string quartet was written for the Pacifica Quartet, who are featuring it in numerous performances from May 2014 through February 2016, across the country and abroad. Their blog page dedicated to the work also features the composer's notes, for more indepth insight. ...impassioned solos emerge from ominous quiet, and high arpeggios in the violins quiver alongside the earthy cello. Ms. Ran skillfully deploys these extremes of color, volume and pitch, yet the overall somewhat chilly impression is one of poise. -- Zachary Woolfe, The New York Times.
My third string quartet was composed at the invitation of the Pacifica Quartet, whose music-making I have come to know closely and admire hugely as resident artists at the University of Chicago.  Already in our early conversations Pacifica proposed that this quartet might, in some manner, refer to the visual arts as a point of germination.  Probing further, I found out that the quartet members had special interest in art created during the earlier part of the 20th century, perhaps between the two world wars.  It was my good fortune to have met, a short while later, while in residence at the American Academy in Rome in the fall of 2011, art conservationist Albert Albano who steered me to the work of Felix Nussbaum (1904-1944), a German-Jewish painter who, like so many others, perished in the Holocaust at a young age, and who left some powerful, deeply moving art that spoke to the life that was unraveling around him. The title of my string quartet takes its inspiration from a major exhibit devoted to art by German artists of the period of the Weimar Republic (1919-1933) titled “Glitter and Doom: German Portraits from the 1920s”, first shown at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2006-07.  Nussbaum would have been a bit too young to be included in this exhibit.  His most noteworthy art was created in the last very few years of his short life.  The exhibit’s evocative title, however, suggested to me the idea of “Glitter, Doom, Shards, Memory” as a way of framing a possible musical composition that would be an homage to his life and art, and to that of so many others like him during that era.  Knowing that their days were numbered, yet intent on leaving a mark, a legacy, a memory, their art is triumph of the human spirit over annihilation. Parallel to my wish to compose a string quartet that, typically for this genre, would exist as “pure music”, independent of a narrative, was my desire to effect an awareness in my listener of matters which are, to me, of great human concern.  To my mind there is no contradiction between the two goals.  As in several other works composed since 1969, this is my way of saying ‘do not forget’, something that, I believe, can be done through music with special power and poignancy.    The individual titles of the quartet’s four movements give an indication of some of the emotional strands this work explores. 1) “That which happened” (das was geschah) – is how the poet Paul Celan referred to the Shoah – the Holocaust.  These simple words served for me, in the first movement, as a metaphor for the way in which an “ordinary” life, with its daily flow and its sense of sweet normalcy, was shockingly, inhumanely, inexplicably shattered. 2) “Menace” is a shorter movement, mimicking a Scherzo.  It is also machine-like, incessant, with an occasional, recurring, waltz-like little tune – perhaps the chilling grimace we recognize from the executioner’s guillotine mask.  Like the death machine it alludes to, it gathers momentum as it goes, and is unstoppable. 3) â� ��If I must perish - do not let my paintings die”; these words are by Felix Nussbaum who, knowing what was ahead, nonetheless continued painting till his death in Auschwitz in 1944.  If the heart of the first movement is the shuddering interruption of life as we know it, the third movement tries to capture something of what I can only imagine to be the conflicting states of mind that would have made it possible, and essential, to continue to live and practice one’s art – bearing witness to the events.  Creating must have been, for Nussbaum and for so many others, a way of maintaining sanity, both a struggle and a catharsis – an act of defiance and salvation all at the same time. 4) “Shards, Memory” is a direct reference to my quartet’s title.  Only shards are left.  And memory.  The memory is of things large and small, of unspeakable tragedy, but also of the song and the dance, the smile, the hopes.  All things human.  As we remember, in the face of death’s silence, we restore dignity to those who are gone.—Shulamit Ran .