SKU: PR.110418370

ISBN 9781491135075. UPC: 680160686247.

Composed as an organ solo by the 17-year-old Ives for his own performance purposes, the beloved Variations on America is a treat for any occasion, whether a holiday concert, a serious recital, or other special event. Danny Holt’s transcription for Piano, Four Hands adds a dazzling new option to play at home or on stage, taking best advantage of Ives’ tremendous contrasts in color, dynamics, and texture.
Composed when Charles Ives was a teenager, Variations on “America” is both a convenient introduction to Ives’ body of work, and an early example of his iconoclastic musical voice and creative genius. Just a few years after composing this piece, Ives would leave home to study music at Yale. But until then he had been taught by his father, George (who had been a bandmaster in the Civil War). George subjected the young Ives to experiments such as singing a song in one key while being accompanied in another, or arranging for two marching bands to converge on a town center, with the resulting cacophony that ensued.The Variations exemplifies an early period of experimentation in Ives’ work, spurred on by the unusual pedagogy of his father. The piece is particularly notable for its use of bitonality in the two interludes, subtly foreshadowing more well-known examples by Stravinsky, Bartók, and others by approximately two decades.The bitonal interludes were so ahead of their time, in fact, they were omitted from the first copy that was submitted to a publisher in 1892. (Alas, the piece was rejected even despite these “shocking” elements having been left out, and it wasn’t published until more than five decades later.) There is some ambiguity about when exactly Ives added the interludes into his manuscript copy, though ample evidence suggests he had performed the piece with the interludes around the time he notated the piece in 1891-92. In any case, in light of this piece and his other polytonal explorations from the last decade of the 19th century, it seems fair to give Ives credit for being a pioneer in this area!This arrangement for Piano, Four Hands, closely follows Ives’ original version for organ, setting aside William Schuman’s popular adaptation for symphony orchestra and William Rhoads’ band transcription of the Schuman orchestration. Pianists will find that the piece translates well to the instrument. Ideally, the choreography and logistics of elbow-to-elbow four-hands playing approximates the wild joy one gets from watching an organist play the piece (e.g., the elaborate pedal part in the final variation).In preparing this publication, attention was paid to details in the dual Critical Editions (Presser 443-41003) of both Ives’ manuscript edition and the 1949 publication edited by organist E. Power Biggs (who is credited with discovering what had been a long-lost, forgotten work.) But as with much of Ives’ output, attempting to create a true ‘urtext’ score is a futile endeavor, and especially with a piece such as this one – in which Ives incorporated improvisation in live performance – seems unnecessary anyhow. True die-hards are of course encouraged to consult the critical editions and even find inspiration in the orchestrated version. Generally, performers are advised to be wild, have fun, and not to be too rigid in their interpretive choices.Dynamics in this arrangement mostly follow the organ score closely. Pianists will use good judgment about pedaling throughout, which should be straightforward and intuitive. Courtesy accidentals have been provided frequently – without parentheses – balancing the need for extra clarity in the context of Ives’ murky musical language, and a desire to avoid unnecessary clutter.A few notes that might inform interpretive decisions:mm. 15-16: There are inconsistencies here between Ives’ original manuscript and the 1949 Biggs edition, regarding the top voice in m. 15, beat 3 (C# vs. Cn) and m. 16 (D Major vs. D Minor).mm. 76-84 & 143-146: In both Interludes, Ives emphatically notates extreme dynamic contrast, in order to highlight the bitonality. Although it may seem counterintuitive (or even a misprint, as has apparently been misconstrued by some), performers are urged to follow the composer’s marking!m. 109: Two-note slurs have been added here for clarity and consistency with other similar passages, though they do not appear in either the original manuscript or Biggs.m. 112: The last two eighth notes of Primo appear as 16ths in the original manuscript.mm. 183-186: The original manuscript has a slightly different bass line.mm. 184 & 186: Primo gestures have been re-written to be slightly more idiomatic for Piano, Four Hands.m. 186: The breath mark at the end of this bar does not appear in either the manuscript or Biggs, but is an editorial suggestion – aside from being appropriately dramatic, it will indeed be necessary in a reverberant hall!I would like to thank Steven Vanhauwaert, the other half of my piano duo, 4handsLA, for his input on early drafts of this arrangement.— Danny Holt, April 2022.

SKU: GI.G-J381

ISBN 9781622774913.

Through engaging children using Music Play 2, adults may build relationships with newborn and young children, additional family members, and other adults as they joyfully make music together, affirm and nurture newborn and young children’s innate capacities for expressive musicking and movement, and honor and extend young children’s expressed musical curiosities, ideas, and audeas (musical thoughts and ideas), helping them realize that their musical identities are worth sharing, developing, and preserving. Music Play 2 materials function in companion with Music Play (GIA, 1998) and Edwin Gordon’s Music Learning Theory for Newborn and Young Children (GIA, 2013) To see contents specific to Parts A and B, click here. Download Music Play 2 Extended Indexes (free)   Music Play 2 is a welcomed contribution for all who are concerned with appropriately guiding children’s musical understandings—parents, teachers, and caregivers. The book is extremely well organized with an excellent balance of theory and practice. The theoretical underpinnings of Music Play 2 are presented in a “user friendly” manner, the lessons are easy to follow and adapt for individual children’s needs and level of development, the numerous songs and chants represent a wide variety of tonalities and meters, and an extensive section on inclusion and inclusive practices has been added. Music Play 2 will be the resource I use for my early childhood music classes! —Joanne Rutkowski, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Music Education     The Pennsylvania State University This book had me interested from the table of contents onward. The lessons are detailed and ready to use in the classroom. I love that there are tonal and rhythmic patterns to go with each song or chant. This is truly a resource that will delight children and teachers as it is easy to use, appropriate for young children, and pedagogically sound. When I finished, I was ready to jump back into teaching early childhood music. Fantastic! —Alice M. Hammel, Ph.D.     James Madison University Music Play 2 is devoted to the wonder of young children’s musical development. The authors have adeptly woven theory and practice, offering a treasure trove of fresh, accessible lesson plans developed by leading researchers and practitioners in the field of early childhood music. An excellent, indispensable resource with original and high-quality music content, Music Play 2 is essential for all providers of music for young children, and sure to be used time and time again. —Suzanne L. Burton, Ph.D., Professor of Music Education     University of Delaware.

SKU: BT.DHP-1002320-401

ISBN 9789043112161. English-German-French-Dutch.

A sister book to Top Hits Duo, which enables young players to perform pop songs and well-known traditional melodies in small ensemble groups. This helps develop both playing and listening skills.

Een bonte mengeling van folk- en popsongs. Inhoud: We’re Going to Ibiza • La Cucaracha • The Floral Dance • Careless Love • Everybody Needs Somebody • Mull of Kintyre • The Show Must Go On • Go Tell It on the Mountain • Y.M.C.A.• Lovely Evening • Die Karawane zieht weiter • Dona Nobis Pacem • Sunday in Rio • Kumbaya

Mit diesen Top-Hits aus verschiedenen Jahrzehnten macht das Zusammenspiel im Trio richtig Spaß!

Da oggi è possibile suonare in trio i grandi successi pop. Con Top Hits Trio potrete unire tre stumenti della stessa tonalit per dar modo ai giovani allievi di cimentarsi nell’esperienza formativa della musica d’insieme, dove oltre ad imparare l’importanza di tenere il giusto tempo, i musicisti capiranno anche cosa vuol dire ascoltare la parte degli altri. Ma potrete anche mischiare libri di diversi strumenti per creare il trio giusto.

SKU: BT.DHP-1002321-401

ISBN 9789043112178. English-German-French-Dutch.

A sister book to Top Hits Duo, which enables young players to perform pop songs and well-known traditional melodies in small ensemble groups. This helps develop both playing and listening skills.

Een bonte mengeling van folk- en popsongs. Inhoud: We’re Going to Ibiza • La Cucaracha • The Floral Dance • Careless Love • Everybody Needs Somebody • Mull of Kintyre • The Show Must Go On • Go Tell It on the Mountain • Y.M.C.A.• Lovely Evening • Die Karawane zieht weiter • Dona Nobis Pacem • Sunday in Rio • Kumbaya

Mit diesen Top-Hits aus verschiedenen Jahrzehnten macht das Zusammenspiel im Trio richtig Spaß!

Da oggi è possibile suonare in trio i grandi successi pop. Con Top Hits Trio potrete unire tre stumenti della stessa tonalit per dar modo ai giovani allievi di cimentarsi nell’esperienza formativa della musica d’insieme, dove oltre ad imparare l’importanza di tenere il giusto tempo, i musicisti capiranno anche cosa vuol dire ascoltare la parte degli altri. Ma potrete anche mischiare libri di diversi strumenti per creare il trio giusto.