Slow Ride

SKU: AP.29465S

UPC: 038081319803. English.

The opening measures of Thrill Ride depict our first glimpse of the giant structure. This is followed by the slow ride up the lift-hill and the blood-chilling first drop that begins our journey on this musical roller coaster. To ride a roller coaster is to experience a collection of emotions: confidence, regret, fear, and euphoria to name a few. In short, we are confronted with our own mortality. (3:30).

SKU: GI.G-CD-438

SKU: BT.DHP-1084643-015

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dutch.

In Camel Ride you will experience the magic of a colourful Arabic caravan as it slowly passes by. With this short work for a flexible ten part instrumentation, composer Jan de Haan has brilliantly reflected the atmosphere of the parade and carefully capturing the mysticism of the East. Camel Ride will make a great interlude in your concert performances.

In Camel Ride horen we een karavaan voorbijtrekken. In rustige tred schrijdt de kleurige stoet voort. Componist Jan de Haan heeft met dit korte werk deze sfeer voortreffelijk weten te treffen.

Der im Titel dieses Werkes genannte Kamelritt ist durchaus wörtlich zu nehmen: Die Musik beschreibt eine vorüber ziehende Karawane. Ruhig, mit gleichmäßigem Schritt, hört man die Wüstenschiffe inmitten eines bunten Menschengewimmels stetig voranschreiten. Jan de Haan ist es in diesem kurzen Werk für zehn Stimmen ausgezeichnet gelungen, die Atmosphäre dieser exotischen Szenerie in diesem Stück für eine zehnstimmig variable Besetzung einzufangen.

Au rythme de la caravane de chameaux, bercés par le vent, nous effectuons une promenade musicale de petits villages en criques isolées, de dunes en plages du bout du monde, de cascades en marabouts éclatants de blancheur. Camel Ride : une touche insolite !

Una passeggiata musicale nel deserto in groppa ai cammelli: atmosfere esotiche e mozzafiato, accompagnati dal vento tra le dune fermandosi in splendide oasi. Camel Ride: un brano insolito!

SKU: AP.49982

ISBN 9781470659301. UPC: 038081576565. English.

Three main themes comprise Midnight Ride by Rossano Galante. Paul Revere's motif is a romantic, heroic melody that captures his bravery and tenacity. The Brown Beauty theme (Paul Revere's horse) incorporates a slower, lush musical offering that captures the strength and beauty of this animal. The ending thematic material represents the ride with a soaring melody accompanied by fast, rhythmic ostinati. (5:45).

SKU: PR.165000970

ISBN 9781491100462. UPC: 680160626717. 9x12 inches.

Commissioned by a consortium of 20 high school and university bands coordinated by Scott Hanna of the University of Texas at Austin, Downshifting is inspired by Welcher’s joy of bicycle riding. Welcher explains in the program note: When I decided to write a piece for band that was basically entertaining and uplifting, it made perfect sense to call it Downshifting... With three gears on the front sprocket and seven on the rear, it’s possible to keep one’s legs going at a constant speed (for me, q = 126) while the bike itself may be moving very slowly or very quickly. I determined to capitalize on this in writing Downshifting, which keeps the same mathematical inner pulse, ‘shifting’ (with a ratchet) as the terrain changes..
One of the joys of life for me is riding my 21-speed bicycle.  As a basically non-athletic person who nonetheless likes to stay in shape, I have found that riding my bike provides just the exercise I need.  The workout is strenuous, but pleasant—and the infinite variety of scenery I pass keeps me alert and wide awake.  When I decided to write a piece for band that was basically entertaining and uplifting, it made perfect sense to call it Downshifting.With three gears on the front sprocket and seven on the rear, it’s possible to keep ones legs going at a constant speed (for me, that’s 126 to the quarter note) while the bike itself may be moving very slowly or very quickly.  I determined to capitalize on this in writing the music, which manages to keep the same mathematical inner pulse, “shifting” (with a ratchet) as the terrain changes.  So Downshifting begins with that steady pulse, on a grid of eighth notes in 2/4 to propel the little vehicle forward.  There’s a joyous little tune in our heads as we begin our ride.  As the initial thrill of riding on the flat gives way to monotony, we stay in that pulse for the first minute or so of the ride.  Then, as the first hill becomes visible, we shift the bike down: even though the eighths are equal, the pulse feels slower (and we’re now in 6/8 time).  Ultimately the compound meter shifts again as the climb begins, and we’re now plodding doggedly up the hill.  (The music reflects all of these changes, with subtitles such as “Working harder—Seeing the climb, ahead”, “Steady and committed…the climb begins!”, “Straining against the grade”, etc.).There are two hills, and two long climbs (but in different keys, reflecting the change in scenery).  When at last the summit of the second hill is reached (“Flying, Over the Top”), we coast at last down the other side at breakneck speed.  The initial joyous melody returns, but now in a spread-out coasting pulse.  At the end of the ride, we slow to a stop—then take one last sprint (shifting five times in the process) in order to end on a biker’s high.Downshifting was commissioned by a consortium of fourteen high school and college bands, overseen by my longtime colleague at the University of Texas, Scott Hanna.  The piece is dedicated to him (and to all bicycle enthusiasts).