SKU: 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.
SKU: PR.11441847S
UPC: 680160641758.
MARS HILL FANTASIA was commissioned by and is gratefully dedicated to Mars Hill College (now Mars Hill University), as part of the festivities celebrating their Sesquicentennial in 2006. The work was commissioned by their Low Brass instructor, and my friend, Dr. James Sparrow. The university is located right in the heart of the beautiful mountain area of Western North Carolina, and I wrote a work which both celebrates the long and distinguished history of Mars Hill University and its lovely mountain setting. The work is scored for two combined ensembles -- an 8-part low brass ensemble of trombones, euphoniums, and tubas, and an 8-part percussion ensemble of both mallet and non-pitched percussion instruments. The music contains rich, sonorous, and joyful gestures, with stentorian fanfares, resonant chords, and lyrical melodies. It was given a truly exciting and festive premiere in October 2006 by the combined low brass and percussion ensembles of the music department of Mars Hill.MARS HILL FANTASIA was commissioned by and is gratefully dedicated to Mars Hill College (now Mars Hill University), as part of the festivities celebrating their Sesquicentennial in 2006.The work was commissioned by their Low Brass instructor, and my friend, Dr. James Sparrow. The university is located right in the heart of the beautiful mountain area of Western North Carolina, and I wrote a work which both celebrates the long and distinguished history of Mars Hill University and its lovely mountain setting.The work is scored for two combined ensembles — an 8-part low brass ensemble of trombones, euphoniums, and tubas, and an 8-part percussion ensemble of both mallet and non-pitched percussion instruments. The music contains rich, sonorous, and joyful gestures, with stentorian fanfares, resonant chords, and lyrical melodies. It was given a truly exciting and festive premiere in October 2006 by the combined low brass and percussion ensembles of the music department of Mars Hill.
SKU: PR.114418470
UPC: 680160641741.
