Haunting Melody

SKU: CF.CPS216F

ISBN 9781491153109. UPC: 680160910601.

Cosmic Expedition takes performers on a musical journey far across the galaxy via three main sections.  This fanfare composition would be perfect for opening a concert. It has bold brass fanfare figures over textural woodwinds to start and then takes the listener on a sonic journey through a variation of harmonic colors, tambural and textural shifts.
Cosmic Expedition takes performers on a musical journey far across the galaxy via three main sections. The first, a rather celebratory and triumphant fanfare in Bb major begins with the upper woodwinds and percussion creating a sound-screen, that is a busy texture consisting of a flurry of repeated notes over which the horns and alto saxophones present the opening theme. The sound-screen should be carefully balanced and give way to the melody at m. 5, which should be played extremely marcato. The timpani solo beginning in m. 11 must not be understated. A brief percussion interlude separates a restatement of the opening theme, this time with the addition of the trumpet, tenor saxophone, and euphonium, and a counter melody by the low winds. The percussion interlude is playful, light, but full of vigor and energy. An Ab in the low winds pulls the harmony towards G minor in m. 40 to start the second section, a more serious fanfare. Here, the marimba repeats an ostinato that is complemented by the bass drum and woodblock. The upper woodwinds with the xylophone and snare drum dance over the stern secondary fanfare. A longing call lead by the trombones, interrupted by a subtle snare drum beckons to the clarinets and horn who begin the third section of the piece at m. 68. This haunting melody in C minor is legato, and starkly contrasts all which came before it. A relentless concert tom-tom played with hard mallets keeps the momentum persistent, and a heartbeat-like pulse is felt from the tuba and baritone saxophone. The melody rises towards m. 84 when the brass harken back to the fanfare style before fading back into another lush woodwind strain.A recapitulation of the low winds’ call is heard at m. 100 which in this occasion intensifies into an emphatic statement by the battery percussion instruments. Now in Eb major, the opening fanfare theme is heard again once more before fading into the beginning of the piece’s conclusion.To end, the counter melody from the opening section duels with chromatic tension above before swelling to an arrival in the original key of Bb major. The full ensemble celebrates the piece’s resolution, and after a few crunchy power chords the journey is completed.

SKU: AP.41189S

UPC: 038081471716. English. Traditional Russian Jewish Folk Song.

What can age yet never grow old, and grip yet always pursue? The very popular Tum Balalaika, a traditional Yiddish riddle song with deep Russian roots, contains the answer: a haunting melody. This arrangement combines that mesmerizing melody with rich harmonies to produce a lushness that will encourage and inspire your students to play with passion and purpose. Beware! It may haunt you all of your days. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

SKU: XC.ICB2014FS

UPC: 812598033632. 9 x 12 inches.

This hauntingly beautiful work will stretch the musicianship of your ensemble. Ed’s harmonic palette is strikingly refreshing and fits perfectly with this old mountain melody.

SKU: KJ.JB118F

UPC: 084027053553.

Written as a companion piece with Border Dance (JB117), Stranger At My Door is written in memory of Peg Bowden, a resident of southern Arizona, who was active in groups assisting migrants by providing food, shelter, clothing and medical assistance. Peg's book Stranger At My Door chronicles her involvements with a migrant who appeared at her doorstep one Christmas Eve in desperate need. Composer Jack Stamp opens this tone poem with a rendition of O Little Town Of Bethlehem accompanied out of time by a haunting melody in the low winds. An original melody, Peg's Theme and the hymn tune Bera (The Hymn of the Good Samaritan from 1849) are first presented plainly, then interwoven in a rhythmic fantasia of fugato fragments. Peg's Theme returns in its fully-harmonized form and the work ends in peaceful introspection. Solos for Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Bass Clarinet, as well as solis for trumpets and trombones are featured. Although Stranger At My Door incorporates a well known Christmas carol, it is appropriate for all seasons due to its timeless message of selflessness in the face of danger.

SKU: AP.45880S

UPC: 038081523842. English. Traditional Hanukkah.

This traditional Hanukkah song, My Candles (sometimes known as In the Window), is a lovely and haunting melody written in strophic form. Strophic music is a song that has only one phrase of melodic material with changing text to give variation. Now combined by arranger Brendan McBrien with an original melody that appears between verses, this piece is a beautiful addition to the holiday repertoire! (3:00).

SKU: HL.4008799

UPC: 196288204329.

In partnership with Squamish First Nation Chief Ian Campbell, Robert Buckley has creatively re-imagined this haunting melody for full concert band. Journey features an underlying rhythmic pulse over which the melody evolves in a variety of moods and textures. The end result is quite dramatic and offers a rare glimpse of an ancient culture. Dur: ca. 3:20.

SKU: BP.HB656

Written for 4 to 7 octave handbell choir. Level 5. Karen Lakey Buckwalter's masterful original composition is infused with lush, chromatic chords throughout. A yearning and haunting melody passes on to moving eighth note triplet arpeggios which propel the piece forward. The original melody then returns in a more complex and fleshed-out form, before more triplets once more push the piece ahead. A final section marked With Fire! drives the piece to its final, resounding conclusion. A true tour de force suitable for any ensemble looking for a musical challenge.