SKU: FG.55011-610-8

ISBN 9790550116108.

Two Mythical Scenes for orchestra was completed in 1956, when Sallinen was Aarre Merikanto's composition student for his second term. The work received its premiere performance only after a good deal of pressure from Prof. Merikanto's side, and was finally premiered in a concert by the Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jussi Jalas. The work received opus number 1, as it was the first publicly performed work by Sallinen.
The composer has told that he was inspired by a 1947 book published by the Finnish Literary Society (SKS) Myytillisia kuvia (Mythical Scenes/Images). The second movement of the work, Kalmanvaen joulukirkko (The Christmas Service of the Dead) is based on the stories in which the dead rise from their graves early in the Christmas Day morning to attend their own special ceremony led by a dead priest. The opening movement Kulkue (Procession) depicts the dead in a procession towards the church.
In 2020 Sallinen revised the score slightly. In his own words with very small changes helping the sixty years younger and less experienced self. The revisions mostly concerned nuances and dynamics, bowings and some bridges. The original structure, rhythmic and harmonic world is still the same as they were when young Sallinen composed the work in 1956.

SKU: AP.43840S

UPC: 038081497297. English.

Arousing wonder and inquisitiveness---that is mystere. And this piece exemplifies, through music, the wonder and incomprehension of a mystery with melodies and counter melodies throughout. (3:15)
Concert/Contest; Festival.

SKU: HL.14026108

UPC: 884088811266. 0.408 inches.

Composer's Note Once, we had a joint conception to create a concert telling a life story. The premiere was planned to take place on the Acropolis in Athens. It was intended to be a large event, a hybrid of a mystery play and an opera. Krzysztof Kieslowski would be the director, Krzysztof Piesiewicz was responsible for the script, and I was planning to compose the music. We thought it might be the first of a series of musical performances, to be developed in various interesting places around the world in the next few years. But it was life that authored a different ending: Krzysztof Kieslowski died in March of 1996. The first part of Requiem for My Friend is meant as a farewell to Krzysztof Kieslowski. I dedicate this music to him. Zbigniew Preisner.

SKU: AP.48038S

UPC: 038081554648. English.

Armor of the Mystic by Rob Grice is an ominous piece for younger orchestras that offers the opportunity to perform a mature-sounding composition without parts that are too technically demanding. With dissonant harmonies and pulsating rhythms, this powerful concert work is sure to stimulate the imaginations of young musicians as well as capture the attention of your audience. This work is great for festival performances and will program well on your next concert! This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud. (2:35).

SKU: AP.45880

UPC: 038081523835. 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).