SKU: CF.PL1072
ISBN 9781491160244. UPC: 680160918836.
An Anthology of Piano Music for the Left Hand Alone marks a rare and significant entry to the piano literature as one of the only collections of the oft-neglected left-hand piano repertoire. Serious literature for the left hand alone has a long and storied past. Contained within this volume, the serious advanced pianist will find a wealth of artistically satisfying repertoire for the left hand that will not only strengthen the technical development of the left hand, but also make for impressive showpieces on the recital stage.This volume includes hitherto unpublished gems like Earl Wild's Etude No. 3 for the Left Hand Alone (Based on Gershwin’s The Man I Love) and Ruth Wylie's Soliloquy for Piano, Left Hand, Op. 23, as well as established classics of the repertoire like Godowky's Chopin arrangements, and even modern and contemporary additions like Bartok’s Etude for the Left Hand and Corigliano's Etude No. 1 for the Left Hand Alone.
SKU: CF.CAS90
ISBN 9780825899195. UPC: 798408099190. 9x12 inches. Key: C major.
Free Spirit offers a fresh new sound from composer Sean O'Loughlin. It has a uniquely American sound to it with open chords contrasted with lush flowing melodies that interplay back and forth in a struggle for supremacy that is finally settled with both co-existing together in the end for a wonderful punctuated ending.Free Spirit is a dynamic composition for the more advanced string ensemble. Full of lyrical and rhythmic passages, the music is a great way to showcase the musicianship of your ensemble.The rhythmic motive at the beginning serves as a connecting thread throughout the com- position. The rhythmic accents are added in m. 5 to increase the intensity and provide a slightly different color to the music. Some interplay follows at the section at m. 13. A lyrical melody then starts to soar over top of the rhythmic motive at m. 27. Bring out the contrast in the different styles simultaneously. The rhythmic energy fades away at m. 36 and gives way to a lush, haunting passage. The rhythmic motive quickly returns at m. 42 for some further development alongside the lyrical melody. A slight departure from the tonal center at m. 53 brings us back to a full presentation at m. 62. Some imitation and counterpoint lead us back to a recapitulation of the central musical ideas at m. 85. The lyrical melody returns as an echo of its former self at m. 100. This leads to a final build-up section at m. 110. Keep the accents punchy and crisp throughout this passage. This climaxes at a tutti gesture to end the piece with fire.
About Carl Fischer Concert String Orchestra Series
This series of pieces (Grade 3 and higher) is designed for advancing ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:
SKU: CF.CAS118F
ISBN 9781491154663. UPC: 680160913213. 9 x 12 inches. Key: E minor.
Though perfect for Halloween, Arachnid's Lair can be performed any time of year. The dark, subtle introduction with molto crescendos and decrescendos hint to a sinister plan by an arachnid on its prey. Dissonant harmonies and tempo changes add to the movement on the spider's web. A brief, but hauntingly beautiful viola solo is offered in the middle section before the final buildup to an exciting climax. The interesting and dramatic sounds of this work will not only teach students new techniques, but it will also motivate them to explore the limits of dynamics and articulations on their instruments.Though perfect for Halloween, Arachnid’s Lair can be performed any time of year. The dark, subtle introduction with molto crescendos and decrescendos hint to a sinister plan by an arachnid on its prey. Dissonant harmonies and tempo changes add to the movement on the spider’s web. A brief, but hauntingly beautiful viola solo is offered in the middle section before the final buildup to an exciting climax. The interesting and dramatic sounds of this work will not only teach students new techniques, but it will also motivate them to explore the limits of dynamics and articulations on their instruments.
SKU: CF.YAS186F
ISBN 9781491151884. UPC: 680160909384. 9 x 12 inches.
A stunning and heart-wrenching composition based on the Jewish folk son Shlof, Mayn Kind. You can hear the emotional content pour out of this piece written in memory of an outstanding orchestra director. The piece beginnings with original material to set the tone, followed by a violin solo on the song. It them develops through a variety of different harmonic presentation before building to a nice key change and climatic moment. The piece ends as it began, but with a more hopeful tone. An amazing piece.Sleep, My Child was commissioned by the Madison Middle School Band and Orchestra in Tampa, Florida, and is dedicated to the memory of their Director of Orchestras Kevin Frye. Director of Bands Chris Shultz championed the commissioning of this piece to honor Kevin after he passed away in December 2016. Mr. Frye was a beloved member of the staff at Madison Middle as well as the music community of Tampa and the state of Florida. I was a personal friend of Kevin’s. We were in several musical groups together when we were young that were formative to both of our musical careers. I also guest-conducted his Madison Middle School Orchestra several times over the past four years. His musicianship, teaching skills and love for his students were exemplary.When taking on the challenge of writing a piece to honor Kevin’s legacy, Mr. Shultz and I decided to try and include several important aspects of Kevin’s life into the piece. Kevin was proudly Jewish, a fantastic trumpet player and loved Jazz. With that in mind, and after a lot of research, a Jewish folk song Shlof, Mayn Kind was selected as the basis for the piece, not to be religious, but to honor his faith and heritage. Plus it is a beautiful song and I felt the title reflected the sentiment I was looking to express, which is of someone taking rest after a long battle with illness, so a lullaby seemed appropriate.I also wanted to incorporate Jazz into the piece, but in a concert setting, so you will hear as the piece develops, the harmonies of the folk song expand into ones found more commonly in Jazz compositions. Not in a far out way, but in a subtle way to again honor this part of his life. For example the climactic moment of the piece at the fermata in m. 57 is a Dbmaj9#11 chord. It appropriately give the piece the angst that I was looking for at this moment in the piece, while honoring the importance of Jazz in Kevin’s musical life.The piece was also conceived to include both the Madison band and orchestra in the performance at the premiere. I wanted the pieces to work separately by the band and separately by the orchestra, but I also wanted them to be able to play the piece together to honor Kevin.The piece begins with original material designed to set the mood of the piece with a tempo/style marking of pensive, but also as material that I used as connective musical tissue between statements of the folk song. After this introduction, the folk song is presented by a solo violin (or clarinet) with orchestral accompaniment in a simple straight forward presentation of the song. This is followed by a woodwind section statement of the folk song accompanied by muted trumpets. During this presentation the harmony starts to expand with more color notes in the chords. The low brass are added half way through this statement to add depth and lushness.The introductory material returns, but with some angry hits in the lower voices. This leads to a full ensemble state of new material that is used to transition to the climax of the piece, and to build tension. After the build, the piece modulates to a shortened statement of the folk song with more advanced harmonies and an active counter line in the violas, horns, saxes and first clarinets to further build the tension. This tension is released at the fermata in m. 57 as mentioned above. After a thoughtful pause, the piece concludes with a completion of the folk song again with a solo violin (or clarinet) followed by a return of the introductory material to tie the piece together. The piece ends hopeful, with a solo trumpet (Kevin’s instrument) that is dissonant at first, but then resolves as if to say, Everything will be OK! It has been my distinct honor to have been asked to write this piece in Kevin’s memory! I hope that in some small way the piece helps to bring comfort to his family, students, colleagues and to all those that knew him!–Larry ClarkLakeland, FL 2017.
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.YAS186
ISBN 9781491151518. UPC: 680160909018. 9 x 12 inches. Key: D minor.
SKU: CF.YPS208F
ISBN 9781491152966. UPC: 680160910465.
A stunning and heart-wrenching composition based on the Jewish folk son Shlof, Mayn Kind. You can hear the emotional content pour out of this piece written in memory of an outstanding orchestra director. The piece beginnings with original material to set the tone, followed by a clarinet solo on the song. It then develops through a variety of different harmonic presentation before building to a nice key change and climatic moment. The piece ends as it began, but with a more hopeful tone. An amazing piece.Sleep, My Child was commissioned by the Madison Middle School Band and Orchestra in Tampa, Florida, and is dedicated to the memory of their Director of Orchestras Kevin Frye. Director of Bands Chris Shultz championed the commissioning of this piece to honor Kevin after he passed away in December 2016. Mr. Frye was a beloved member of the staff at Madison Middle as well as the music community of Tampa and the state of Florida. I was a personal friend of Kevin’s. We were in several musical groups together when we were young that were formative to both of our musical careers. I also guest conducted his Madison Middle School Orchestra several times over the past four years. His musicianship, teaching skills and love for his students were exemplary.When taking on the challenge of writing a piece to honor Kevin’s legacy, Mr. Shultz and I decided to try and include several important aspects of Kevin’s life into the piece. Kevin was proudly Jewish, a fantastic trumpet player and loved Jazz. With that in mind, and after a lot of research, a Jewish folk song Shlof, Mayn Kind was selected as the basis for the piece, not to be religious, but to honor his faith and heritage. Plus it is a beautiful song, and I felt the title reflected the sentiment I was looking to express, which is of someone taking rest after a long battle with illness. Thus, a lullaby seemed appropriate.I also wanted to incorporate Jazz into the piece, but in a concert setting, so you will hear as the piece develops, the harmonies of the folk song expand into ones found more commonly in Jazz compositions. Not in a far out way, but in a subtle way to again honor this part of his life. For example the climactic moment of the piece at the fermata in m. 57 is a Dbmaj9#11 chord. It appropriately give the piece the angst that I was looking for at this moment in the piece, while honoring the importance of Jazz in Kevin’s musical life.The piece was also conceived to include both the Madison band and orchestra in the performance at the premiere. I wanted the pieces to work separately by the band and separately by the orchestra, but I also wanted them to be able to play the piece together to honor Kevin.The piece begins with original material designed to set the mood of the piece with a tempo/style marking of pensive, but also as material that I used as connective musical tissue between statements of the folk song. After this introduction, the folk song is presented by a solo violin (or clarinet) with orchestral accompaniment in a simple straight forward presentation of the song. This is followed by a woodwind section statement of the folk song accompanied by muted trumpets. During this presentation the harmony starts to expand with more color notes in the chords. The low brass are added half way through this statement to add depth and lushness.The introductory material returns, but with some angry hits in the lower voices. This leads to a full ensemble state of new material that is used to transition to the climax of the piece, and to build tension. After the build, the piece modulates to a shortened statement of the folk song with more advanced harmonies and an active counter line in the violas, horns, saxes and first clarinets to further build the tension. This tension is released at the fermata in m. 57, as mentioned above. After a thoughtful pause, the piece concludes with a completion of the folk song again with a solo violin (or clarinet) followed by a return of the introductory material to tie the piece together. The piece ends hopeful, with a solo trumpet (Kevin’s instrument) that is dissonant at first, but then resolves as if to say - everything will be OK! It has been my distinct honor to have been asked to write this piece in Kevin’s memory! I hope that in some small way the piece helps to bring comfort to his family, students, colleagues and to all those that knew him!–Larry ClarkLakeland, FL 2017.
SKU: CF.YPS208
ISBN 9781491152287. UPC: 680160909780. Key: D minor.
SKU: CF.CAS80
ISBN 9780825894817. UPC: 798408094812. 9 x 12 inches. Key: D major.
Composer Deborah Baker Monday provides us with an exciting new composition that contains all of the grandeur of the American West. With wide open spaces, reminiscent of pieces from the Americana composers of the last century, this will be a perfect choice to highlight your group at contest and festival performances.Canyonland Skies is a programmatic work which was composed for the 2013 Utah/American String Teachers Association (ASTA) composition competition. The required element for the contest was that the entry should have a theme based on something native to the state of Utah.This original work attempts to represent the brilliance of the Utah sky; the clearest blue by day, with its blinding bright sun and the deepest dark blue of night, with a palette of stars which are breathtaking. The sunrise and sunset scenarios are uniquely remarkable from wherever one may be observing. At any one moment or another, these magnificent visions of color are always fresh and different.Canyonland Skies uses the bright key of D major to maximize the sonority of the string instruments. Excellent opportunities for drone-like intonation practices abound. Scalewise passages build and build for the strong harmonic changes which drive the piece to a contrasting section.G major dominates the jaunty middle section, which suggests a smooth ride on an open road. Melodic opportunities abound while the piece soars to a satisfying reflection of the opening material.Canyonland Skies is the winning Composition of the 2013 Composition Contest sponsored by the Utah Chapter of the American String Teachers Association.Sit back and begin a road trip with your students. With your navigation they will create a soundtrack for this beautiful journey.
SKU: CF.CAS155
ISBN 9781491162873. UPC: 680160921621. Key: G major.
Resplendence is an exclamation of joy and serves as the fanfare for a glorious return. Written as Covid-19 restrictions lessened and orchestras once again took to the stage, this uplifting work celebrates a return to normalcy. A joyous theme in G major briefly moves into E-flat major, developing the motif through modal shifts and expanding accompaniments. Variations in the relative minor build to a spectacular climax, driving the accelerating melody to a triumphant conclusion. Colorful with ever changing textures and lyrical melodies, the work embodies the emotions of people rediscovering the joy of being together, and of playing music together.
SKU: CF.CAS155F
ISBN 9781491163214. UPC: 680160921966. Key: G major.
SKU: CF.CPS225
ISBN 9781491152515. UPC: 680160910014.
Tartan Tapestries is an original piece that sets out to emulate Scottish folk music. Composer Larry Clark has created a concert overture in triple meter to capture the essence of music from Scotland. After a lilting first section, lush and beautiful moments weave a tapestry of sounds with the lyrical, middle section of the piece. There is an optional part for bagpipes, and an optional ending should you chose to use this instrument as part of the piece. Alert your contest music committee about this strong new piece for advancing groups.Tartan Tapestries was commissioned by Friends of the Arts for the Saint Andrew's School Band in Boca Raton, Florida. The band program at Saint Andrew’s School is under the direction of Andrea Wolgin. The premiere took place on November 29, 2017.When I was asked by their conductor Ms. Wolgin to write a piece for the Saint Andrew’s School, I asked her what kind of involvement she wanted the students to have in the process. We discussed several options for having the students involved in the process of creating with the type of piece they wanted. We set up a “Skype†meeting with members of the band to discuss the piece. During this discussion, the consensus of the students was that they wanted a piece depicting the Scottish influence to the school. They also wanted a piece that would challenge all sections of the band and to include bagpipes if possible. I asked that the students be involved in helping to name the piece once it was completed, for which they agreed and were very helpful. Armed with this information, I set out to compose a piece for them, and Tartan Tapestries is the result.The piece begins with a fanfare gesture based upon rhythms and harmonies that appear throughout the piece. I chose the lilting triple feel to the piece, to bring about the Scottish flavor. I wanted the fanfare to be bardic sounding, to depict the strength of the Scottish people and for the piece to have a dynamic opening. The fanfare contains material that alludes to the main theme and with a bit of dissonance and tension that is resolved in the main body of the piece.The main theme is a lilting original melody, but one that I hope with have the essence of Scottish folk songs. The main idea is followed by a more modal and dark sounding secondary theme, first stated in the horns. This material is later used in the development section of the piece. The main theme returns several times, with different and varied orchestrations and harmonic treatments. This is followed by a short transition leading to the more lyrical and slower second section of the piece. A transparent presentation of the lyrical theme, which is based on aspects of the main theme, is presented first by a solo flute. This section is a nod to famous composer Malcom Arnold’s wonderful works for orchestra in its style and orchestration. After a transition or bridge section with a solo euphonium, the piece builds to a dramatic climax of the lyrical theme by the full band. This subsides to a return of the solo flute to end this second section of the piece, followed by a transition back the main theme.The solo bagpipes play a central role in the return of the main theme and take center stage after being heard in the distance earlier in the work. The piece brings back a shortened version of the darker secondary theme, followed by a hint of the fanfare material that builds to one last statement of the main theme by the full band, before leading to a dramatic coda to complete the work.It has been my pleasure to have been given the opportunity to compose this piece for the Saint Andrew’s School Band! I thank Andrea Wolgin for making it happen, and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed bringing the piece to life.–Larry ClarkLakeland, Florida 2017.
SKU: CF.CPS225F
ISBN 9781491153192. UPC: 680160910694.
SKU: CY.CC2580
Stephansdom is a new composition, descriptive of the iconic St. Stephan's Cathedral in central Vienna. Ryan Diefendorfer wrote this work for the Indiana University Trombone Ensemble for Bass Trombone solo and Trombone Choir (6-part) to be performed by Carl Lenthe at the 2012 Eastern Music Festival. Ryan's work was awarded the winner of the 2012 Eastern Trombone Workshop National Composition Competition.St. Stephen's Cathedral, also known as Stephansdom, is one of Vienna's most remarkable city icons. Dating back to 1137, Stephandsom towers above the rest of Vienna's skyline and has been a constant presence in the lives of the Viennese for nearly one thousand years. Among the buildings that the Viennese find closest to their hearts, Stephansdom is certainly one of themI. GroundbreakingThe first movement depicts the troubles that St. Stephen's Cathedral had in getting its groundbreaking as a church. The opening of the piece marks the celebration of the Viennese when St. Stephen's was first constructed in 1137, during the Romanesque era. However, the church faced many issues—from being destroyed by the Babenberg Empire to being decimated by a fire—before the church began its construction in the Gothic style in 1307. The first movement depicts these struggles before resolving to an open chord.II. StefflSteffl, the nickname for Stephansdom's soaring north tower, is one of the characteristics of the cathedral that the Viennese find so endearing. This movement is very upbeat and is meant to portray the excitement shared by the Viennese for this beautiful addition to Stephansdom, which was completed in 1433. Stephansdom's north tower is the tallest structure in Vienna, and distinctly stands out within Vienna's skyline.III. 1945As World War II was coming to a close in 1945, Stephansdom's roof caught fire from a neighboring building, destroying large portions of the church. One climax occurs at m.30, which depicts Stephansdom's great bell, the Pummerin, crashing down to the ground. This movement depicts the chaotic nature of the raging fire of 1945.IV. Anton PilgrimAnton Pilgrim was the last, and perhaps most beloved, architect who worked on St. Stephen's Cathedral in the Gothic style. One of his most famous projects was the St. Stephen's organ loft, which is depicted by an opening organ-like canon. The final movement to the piece ends in a chorale-like fashion, demonstrating the Viennese's love for Anton Pilgrim, as well as Stephansdom, one of Vienna's most iconic sights.This work of 12 minutes in length is appropriate for advanced performers.