Life Dances

SKU: BT.EMBZ14737

9x12 inches.

The title of the suite Early Hungarian Dances from Gömör suggests the arrangement and harmonization of dance tunes, but this three-movement cycle is far more than that: in fact, the old court dances that provide the thematic material have been freely thought through and brought to completion. The composer has breathed new life into the 18th-century melodies, as Zoltán Kodály did with the Galanta and Marosszék dances, Antonin Dvo ák with Slav dances, and Johannes Brahms with those of Hungary. The chief virtues of the work are its colourful, varied instrumentation, the tasteful combination of its archaic style with the musical language of our day, and not least the fact thatits every bar is enjoyable to play and easy to listen to.

Der Titel der Suite Alte ungarische Tänze aus Gömör lässt die Bearbeitung und Harmonisierung von Tanzmelodien erahnen, doch der dreisätzige Zyklus ist viel mehr als das: Es ist die freie Weiterentwicklung und Vollentfaltung alter höfischer Tanzmelodien, die den Themenstoff geben. Der Komponist erweckt die Melodien aus dem 18. Jahrhundert in einer Art und Weise, wie das von Zoltán Kodály mit jenen aus Galánta und Marosszék oder von Antonin Dvo ak mit den slawischen oder von Johannes Brahms mit den ungarischen Tänzen gemacht wurde. Die Hauptvorzüge des Werkes sind die bunte und abwechslungsreiche Instrumentierung, die geschmackvolle Verknüpfung des archaisierenden Tons mit derSprache der zeitgenössischen Musik und nicht zuletzt, dass alle Takte gut zu spielen und leicht aufzunehmen sind.

SKU: BT.EMBZ14992

The composer wrote of his work as follows: In the music of Hungary, folk songs are manifestly of great importance, on the other hand our ancient airs and dances play a modest role. For this work I have been influenced by dances of the 17th century, written by unknown amateurs in a relatively simple style. Most of these dances were recorded between the 14th and 18th centuries under the usual form of tablature notation. My interest in this music was first captured in the 1940s. I was so fascinated that I decided to give these melodies new life. I fitted the little eight-bar dances together into ternary and rondo forms, and leaning on early Baroque harmony and counterpoint, Iattempted a reminiscence of that atmosphere of the provincial Hungarian Baroque.

So schrieb der Komponist über sein Werk:

In der ungarischen Musik sind natürlich die Volkslieder sehr wichtig, doch die alten Melodien und Tänze spielen in unserer Musik eine geringere Rolle. Für dieses Werk habe ich mich von Tänzen des 17. Jahrhunderts anregen lassen, die von unbekannten Dilettanten, also ziemlich einfach, geschrieben worden waren. Die meisten waren in der zwischen dem 14. und 18. Jahrhundert geläufigen Tabulaturschrift notiert. In den vierziger Jahren begann ich mich erstmals für diese Musik zu interessieren. Ich war davon so fasziniert, dass ich mich entschloss, sie wieder zum Leben zu erwecken. Ich fügte die kleinen achttaktigen Tänze zu dreiteiligen undRondoformen zusammen. Ausgehend von der frühbarocken Harmonik und Kontrapunktik habe ich mich in einer Art ungarischen provinziellen Barocks versucht.“.

SKU: BT.EMBZ14992SET

English-Hungarian.

The composer wrote of his work as follows: In the music of Hungary, folk songs are manifestly of great importance, on the other hand our ancient airs and dances play a modest role. For this work I have been influenced by dances of the 17th century, written by unknown amateurs in a relatively simple style. Most of these dances were recorded between the 14th and 18th centuries under the usual form of tablature notation. My interest in this music was first captured in the 1940s. I was so fascinated that I decided to give these melodies new life. I fitted the little eight-bar dances together into ternary and rondo forms, and leaning on early Baroque harmony and counterpoint, Iattempted a reminiscence of that atmosphere of the provincial Hungarian Baroque.

So schrieb der Komponist über sein Werk:

In der ungarischen Musik sind natürlich die Volkslieder sehr wichtig, doch die alten Melodien und Tänze spielen in unserer Musik eine geringere Rolle. Für dieses Werk habe ich mich von Tänzen des 17. Jahrhunderts anregen lassen, die von unbekannten Dilettanten, also ziemlich einfach, geschrieben worden waren. Die meisten waren in der zwischen dem 14. und 18. Jahrhundert geläufigen Tabulaturschrift notiert. In den vierziger Jahren begann ich mich erstmals für diese Musik zu interessieren. Ich war davon so fasziniert, dass ich mich entschloss, sie wieder zum Leben zu erwecken. Ich fügte die kleinen achttaktigen Tänze zu dreiteiligen undRondoformen zusammen. Ausgehend von der frühbarocken Harmonik und Kontrapunktik habe ich mich in einer Art ungarischen provinziellen Barocks versucht.“.

SKU: BR.OB-5273-30

ISBN 9790004332542. 10 x 12.5 inches.

In his Slavonic Dances Op. 46, Dvorak did not draw on pre-existent music, but created something original and new, projecting his own compositional will into the creative process. What we hear are Dvoraks melodies,and that it is due to his creative will that he cast them as in Dance 3, for example in the form of a melodic four-tone model which is common to many folk songs and childrens songs. Finally, it is his rhythmic invention and shaping of the musical character of each dance that breathe life into the elements of Slavonic dance music.

SKU: BR.OB-5273-23

ISBN 9790004332528. 10 x 12.5 inches.

In his Slavonic Dances Op. 46, Dvorak did not draw on pre-existent music, but created something original and new, projecting his own compositional will into the creative process. What we hear are Dvoraks melodies,and that it is due to his creative will that he cast them as in Dance 3, for example in the form of a melodic four-tone model which is common to many folk songs and childrens songs. Finally, it is his rhythmic invention and shaping of the musical character of each dance that breathe life into the elements of Slavonic dance music.

SKU: CL.011-4256-01

Courtly Procession and Dances brings the royal courts of medieval Europe to life at your next concert! The work opens with a stately brass and percussion fanfare. The courtly procession follows, and is played by the full ensemble. A slower, lyrical dance contrasts with the procession and eventually leads into a light-hearted and lively dance featuring very playable woodwind lines. The work concludes with a restatement of the processional. Courtly Procession and Dances is fresh, highly melodic, and great for variety in concert programming.

About C.L. Barnhouse Command Series

The Barnhouse Command Series includes works at grade levels 2, 2.5, and 3. This series is designed for middle school and junior high school bands, as well as high school bands of smaller instrumentation or limited experience. Command Series publications have a slightly larger instrumentation than the Rising Band Series, and are typically of larger scope, duration, and musical content.

SKU: CL.011-4677-00

The fascinating world of Renaissance music comes to life as your band performs this spirited setting of three dances from Susato’s Danserye. Harmonic, rhythmic, and dynamic surprises abound as the piece begins with a light and delicate Ronde, continues with a lively boisterous Salterelle, and finishes with a stately grand Ronde/Aliud. This masterfully scored arrangement remains true to Susato’s original while taking advantage of the many colors available in the modern concert band. Your developing players, and the audience as well, will be delighted by this journey into such an exhilarating time in music’s history.

About C.L. Barnhouse Command Series

The Barnhouse Command Series includes works at grade levels 2, 2.5, and 3. This series is designed for middle school and junior high school bands, as well as high school bands of smaller instrumentation or limited experience. Command Series publications have a slightly larger instrumentation than the Rising Band Series, and are typically of larger scope, duration, and musical content.