SKU: MN.15-847CD
UPC: 688670007576.
The third in our popular series of reflective piano music, The Quiet Journey is a collection of 11 pieces for Lent and Holy Week based on familiar hymns. The writing is very expressive without being busy or intrusive—fitting for the introspective season of Lent.
SKU: PR.110418160
ISBN 9781491114049. UPC: 680160640393. 9 x 12 inches.
Stacy Garrop began hiking in northern Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park in her early 20s. From the start, she was drawn to a jagged stretch of rock formations linking Longs Peak to Pagoda Mountain, at over 13,000 feet. These formations are called the “Keyboard of the Winds,†as their thin, spindly peaks suggest splintered keys of an old, broken piano. Inspired by one particular journey the composer took through the Keyboard of the Winds en route to Pagoda’s summit, this work is a tribute to the Keyboard of the Winds. Its fast, whirling gestures depict swirling clouds above, and the musical high points represent a hiker reaching the peak of Pagoda Mountain. These sections are set in contrast with quiet, introspective material embodying the hiker quietly surveying the grandeur and beauty of the valley below, as well as the soaring pinnacle of Longs Peak overhead.I began hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado when I was in my early twenties. RMNP is home to some of the most gorgeous mountains in North America, encompassing 265,000 acres of wilderness, flora, and fauna. Among the park’s numerous summits is Longs Peak, a mountain that is 14,259 feet high (the highest in the region). From my earliest days of hiking, I was drawn to Longs Peak, as well as to a jagged stretch of rock formations that link Longs Peak to Pagoda Mountain (which stands at 13,497 feet). These formations are called the Keyboard of the Winds, as their thin, spindly peaks loosely suggest the splintered keys of an old, broken piano.One summer, I made the ascent to Pagoda Mountain using a route that took me along the right side of the Keyboard of the Winds. My hiking partner and I started up the trail in the pre-dawn hours, and the weather was stormy. Dawn had broken by the time we reached the base of the Keyboard, but its peaks were still surrounded by clouds. As we climbed higher and higher, the Keyboard’s thin spires became visible, along with the top of Pagoda Mountain. We reached the summit of Pagoda, admired the view (what we could see through the clouds), and made our descent.My piece is a tribute to the Keyboard of the Winds. The fast, whirling gestures depict swirling clouds, and the musical high points represent a hiker reaching the peaks of the Keyboard. I have contrasted these sections with quiet, introspective material; these embody the hiker quietly surveying the grandeur and beauty of the valley below (on a cloudless day), as well as the soaring pinnacles of Longs Peak and Pagoda Mountain overhead.
SKU: PR.114422710
ISBN 9781491136072. UPC: 680160688227.
DUO’s succinct movement titles (I. Here, II. Open, III. Stark, IV. Ardent) tease at revealing the grand and heartfelt inspiration for exuberant romanticism in this sonata-like work of symphonic proportions and depth. Charles Gibb is both an accomplished pianist and an award-winning flutist, who has written of this compelling major addition to the literature: “This work is a journey. What journey and whose journey does not matter. It is my journey, it is your journey. It is the journey of those who came before us, and of those who will come after us. I wrote this hoping that we can find each other along the road, so we can realize that we don’t need to go on the journey alone.†Gibb’s DUO is sure to become a favorite major work for flute recitalists.This work is a journey. What journey and whose journey does not matter. It is my journey, it is your journey. It is the journey of those who came before us, and of those who will come after us. I wrote this hoping that we can find each other along the road, so we can realize that we don’t need to go on the journey alone.“Here†begins with three notes that shape the rhythmic and harmonic content of the entire work. Melodies and harmonies including the tonic, dominant, and leading tone can be found in each of the four movements. The first moments of this movement introduce the melody, offering itself unencumbered and uninhibited. It shows itself as it is. The melodies soar, the harmonies become voiced more intricately, and the opening theme repeats in full grandeur. The momentum slows down, and the movement ends with a sense of completion, yet remains unbalanced.A striking piano gesture launches “Open,†the idea of instability reflected with the flowing flute trills and unclear meter patterns in the piano. The sensation of an unsteady grace in 5/8 time arrives with a piano ostinato. The melody is expressive, yet insecure and unbalanced due to changing meters. After a grand pause, the movement transitions to 4/4 time with the flute switching between duplet and triplet flourishes. After a rapid descent in the flute, the opening gesture returns, changed and abruptly interrupted.The third movement, “Stark,†is very static, beginning plainly but markedly. The falling fifth calls out continually throughout the movement, searching, lost. Melodies appear in pieces, some smooth and flowing, others rather disjunct. The piece climaxes with a line of mournfulness, yet revealing a deeper strength through intense projection of tone in the high register. However, the static harmonies return, this time unsteady all the way to its foundation. This destabilization repeats, and then quietly recedes.“Ardent†is the longest of the movements and spans a wide range of musical emotion. Part of the movement is fast paced, energetic, and balances order and disarray. However, once the chaos dies down, a gentle, expressive theme comes in. The theme itself is very resolute; it is order appearing from the pandemonium. Conflict returns, and order and chaos become less distinguishable from one another, and soon fuse together. However, order returns with new meaning, synthesized with previous musical content, creating a truer, deeper sense of awareness or understanding. A moment of ambiguity arises, but the flute persists, supported by the sensitive but firm figuration in the piano, and resoundingly comes to a close, unburdened and at ease.
SKU: HL.49047317
ISBN 9798350121902. UPC: 196288201052.
This cello sonata by the renowned jazz pianist and professor of jazz piano unites in a certain way “the best of two worldsâ€: melodies, sophisticated harmonies and rousing rhythms, which are also convincing in a pure jazz context, are fused here with a formal language and movement techniques that are oriented towards classical models. The voices of both instruments are interwoven on an equal footing and take the listener on an exciting musical journey from the very first moment, which finds its virtuoso climax in the lively rondo via a classical sonata main movement and a quiet middle movement.
SKU: KN.52725S
As recorded by The Vanguard Orchestra on their album Thad Jones Legacy, this expressive journey opens with a brief ensemble statement followed by a full-length piano solo, ensemble interlude, and a solo chorus for trumpet that leads directly into an exuberant ensemble shout. A 12-bar piano solo and articulated ensemble ending provide the finishing touches. Duration 6:00.
SKU: KN.02460S
UPC: 822795024609.
As recorded by Count Basie & His Orchestra for their Basie Straight Ahead album of 1968, this classic blues features a moderate tempo, piano and tenor solos, solid sax and brass solis, and a series of ensemble shouts punctuated by dramatically quieter passages to create the kind of intensity that keeps listeners riveted until the closing chord ends. Rhythm section parts are partially notated with chords cued, and the first brass soli calls for bucket mutes.
SKU: LO.99-3678MD
UPC: 000308146806.
Rich harmonies ebb and flow in this engaging setting of a beloved hymn. Truly a journey, this stunning arrangement begins a cappella, then adds the piano and optional orchestra, gradually building in intensity to a beautiful, climactic moment, and resolves to an ending filled with quiet reflection.
SKU: CF.YAS184F
ISBN 9781491151860. UPC: 680160909360. 9 x 12 inches.
Alan Lee Silva's Northwestern Skies?is lyrical and fresh,? with his signature open and expressive style. Young string orchestras will sound rich and full with this sweeping composition.
From the opening fanfare to the final ensemble gesture, Northwestern Skies is an engaging musical journey with expressive ensemble phrases and challenging section features. The A theme at m. 9, a recurring heroic statement, provides an opportunity to develop solid tone production and intonation in sustained forte passages. The B theme at m. 17, enters quietly and features singing, legato lines and delicate accompaniment. The connected countermelodies in both the A and B sections should be balanced under the main melody. More instrtuments are added to the melody in m. 25, building to the return of the A theme in m. 33.
The lower strings carry the C theme in m. 49, supported by tutti figures in the upper strings. All sections come together in m. 56 to a ritardando into the Maestoso section, setting up a grand ensemble statement in m. 57-58. The moving legatolines at m. 59 and the aggressive figures at m. 61 propel the piece to its final build.
The Coda section at m. 65 begins with a variation of the B melody in the violas and then the violins over a dominant pedal point in the lower strings. Commanding tutti statements of the A theme at m. 69 end the piece with power and excitement.
From the opening fanfare to the final ensemble gesture, Northwestern Skies is an engaging musical journey with expressive ensemble phrases and challenging section features. The A theme at m. 9, a recurring heroic statement, provides an opportunity to develop solid tone production and intonation in sustained forte passages. The B theme at m. 17, enters quietly and features singing, legato lines and delicate accompaniment. The connected countermelodies in both the A and B sections should be balanced under the main melody. MoreA instrtuments areA added to the melody in m. 25, building to the return of the A theme in m. 33.
The lower stringsA carry the C theme in m. 49, supported byA tutti figures in the upper strings. All sections come together in m. 56 to a ritardando into the Maestoso section, setting up a grand ensemble statement in m. 57-58. The movingA legatolines at m. 59 and the aggressive figures at m. 61 propel the piece to its final build.
The Coda section at m. 65 begins with a variation of the B melody in theA violas and then the violinsA over a dominant pedal point in the lower strings. Commanding tutti statements of the A theme at m. 69 end the piece with power and excitement.
About Carl Fischer Young String Orchestra Series
This series of Grade 2/Grade 2.5 pieces is designed for second and third year ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:--Occasionally extending to third position--Keys carefully considered for appropriate difficulty--Addition of separate 2nd violin and viola parts--Viola T.C. part included--Increase in independence of parts over beginning levels
SKU: CF.YAS184
ISBN 9781491151495. UPC: 680160908998. 9 x 12 inches. Key: G major.
