SKU: FG.55011-372-5
ISBN 9790550113725.
Imag es of the sea figure prominently throughout my life and memories: from holidays on the Atlantic coast during my Canadian childhood to my current Baltic home, and the imagined, only later experienced Mediterranean of my ancestral heritage. As an immigrant (son of an immigrant) bound to two northern countries, the sea is emblematic of my twin homelands, from the expanses of water surrounding them to those separating them. A Mari usque ad Mare. The sea is also an enduring image of the unknown, of expanses unexplored, of the raw power of nature and, for too many currently, of terror holding a hope of refuge - or the pain of loss. Such disparate ideas were captured for me in the seascapes of the New York painter MaryBeth Thielhelm, whom I met in 2008 during a residency on the Gulf of Mexico. Her vast, abstract, nearly monochromatic depictions of imaginary seas in wildly varying moods were the catalyst for a concerto where the piano is frequently far from a hero battling a collective, but rather acts as a channel for elemental forces surging up from the orchestra, floating - sometimes barely so - on its constantly shifting surface. There are few themes to speak of, beyond a handful of iconic ideas that periodically cycle upward. Rather, the piano's material is largely an ornamentation of the more primal rhythmic and harmonic impulses from the orchestra below - a poetic interpretation, if you will, of the more immediate experience of facing the vastness of some unknown body of water. The title Nameless Seas is borrowed from one of Thielhelm's exhibitions, as are those of the four movements, which are bridged together into two halves of roughly equal weight - one rhapsodic and free, the other more single-minded and direct, separated only by a short breath. The opening movement, Nocturne, is predominantly calm, if brooding, darkness and light alternating throughout. Lyrical arabesques sparkle over gently lapping cross-currents in the strings and mirrored timpani, the piano's full power only rarely deployed. The waves gradually build, drawing in the full orchestra for a meeting of forces in Land and Sea, a brighter, more warmly lyrical scene that unfolds in series of dreamlike, sometimes even nostalgic visions, which for me carry strong memories of sitting on rocks above surging Atlantic waves. The third movement, Wake, is a fast, perpetual-motion texture of glinting, darting rhythms and sudden shafts of light, with a prominent part for the steel drums, limning the piano's quicksilver figurations. An ecstatic climax crashes into a solo cadenza that grows progressively calmer and more introspective rather than virtuosic. Much of the tension finally releases into Unclaimed Waters, a drifting, meditative seascape in which the piano is progressively engulfed by a series of ever-taller waves, ultimately dissolving into a tolling, rippling continuum of sound. It has been a great privilege to realize such a long-held dream as this piece, and to write it for not one, but two great pianists. Risto-Matti Marin and Angela Hewitt, both of whose friendship and support have been unfailing and humbling, share the dedication. Nameless Seas was commissioned by the PianoEspoo festival and Canada's National Arts Centre, with the premieres in Ottawa and Helsinki led by Hannu Lintu and Olari Elts. Thanks are due also to the Jenny and Antti Wihuri fund, whose generous grant provided me with much-needed time, and Escape to Create in Seaside, Florida, the source to which I returned to do a large part of the work.
SKU: CZ.9798396181786
ISBN 9798396181786.
Disc over the spirit of America with Thirty Famous Patriotic Songs for Piano Accompaniment (Winds), a remarkable collection of melodies that celebrates the land of the brave and the home of the free. This comprehensive book brings together some of the most beloved patriotic tunes that honor the USA, making it the perfect companion for occasions like July Fourth or any time of the year when you want to express your love for your country.With Thirty Famous Patriotic Songs for Piano Accompaniment (Winds), you can immerse yourself in the rich musical heritage that has resonated with Americans throughout history while providing accompaniment for a number of different woodwinds and brass. The book features timeless classics like Amazing Grace, My Country Tis of Thee, America the Beautiful, and The Star-Spangled Banner, which will evoke a deep sense of national pride with every note.To enhance your musical experience, mp3 accompaniment tracks are available online, allowing you to perform these iconic songs with full instrumental support. This accompaniment book ensures that pianists have the sheet music they need to master these patriotic melodies and provide musical background for instrumental solos.From the stirring Battle Cry of Freedom to the soul-stirring Eternal Father, Strong to Save, Thirty Famous Patriotic Songs for Piano Accompaniment (Winds)encompasses a diverse array of compositions that capture the essence of the American spirit. Whether you're commemorating the sacrifices of the armed forces with The Marine's Hymn or embracing the lively spirit of American folk with Oh! Susanna and Yankee Doodle, this collection has it all.Experience the pride and joy of being an American with Thirty Famous Patriotic Songs for Piano Accompaniment (Winds). Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of American history, as reflected in the music that has accompanied the nation through triumph and adversity. Let the melodies of liberty, unity, and patriotism resonate within your heart as you sing or play these beloved songs. Celebrate the legacy of a nation with Thirty Famous Patriotic Songs for Piano Accompaniment (Winds) and let the music of America inspire you.
SKU: PR.110418380
ISBN 9781491135334. UPC: 680160687497.
THREE FANTASIES is a fantastical escape from reality. The first fantasy (“Preludeâ€) features a luscious and expressive melody accompanied by dark, romantic harmonies. The following fantasy (“Cosmic Lullabyâ€) begins and ends in a serene and introspective manner, with a tumultuous and harmonically rich middle section. To end the set, “Intermezzo†provides reflection and a lively resolution. Gardels’ profound lyricism and masterful piano writing make this set enjoyable for any pianist to perform at home or in the concert hall.The three fantasies here were written during the height of the 2020-21 Coronavirus lockdowns – a time everyone will forever recall as a period of the world standing still and experiencing new degrees of isolation, inactivity, and apprehension.A fantasy is a genre to which a composer can turn as a respite from the constraints of form, tradition, and expectation. What the genre may lack in structure and design it makes up for with spontaneity, capriciousness, and improvisatory musical gesture.I hope performers feel free to take a similarly “fantastical†approach to the interpretation of these works, seeing the score and notation as a point of departure rather than arrival, and proceed with unabashed freedom of spirit in their playing.
SKU: CZ.9798396293144
ISBN 9798396293144.
Disc over the spirit of America with Thirty Famous Patriotic Songs for Piano Accompaniment (Strings), a remarkable collection of melodies that celebrates the land of the brave and the home of the free. This comprehensive book brings together some of the most beloved patriotic tunes that honor the USA, making it the perfect companion for occasions like July Fourth or any time of the year when you want to express your love for your country.With Thirty Famous Patriotic Songs for Piano Accompaniment (Strings), you can immerse yourself in the rich musical heritage that has resonated with Americans throughout history while providing accompaniment for a number of different woodwinds and brass. The book features timeless classics like Amazing Grace, My Country Tis of Thee, America the Beautiful, and The Star-Spangled Banner, which will evoke a deep sense of national pride with every note.To enhance your musical experience, mp3 accompaniment tracks are available online, allowing you to perform these iconic songs with full instrumental support. This accompaniment book ensures that pianists have the sheet music they need to master these patriotic melodies and provide musical background for instrumental solos.From the stirring Battle Cry of Freedom to the soul-stirring Eternal Father, Strong to Save, Thirty Famous Patriotic Songs for Piano Accompaniment (Strings) encompasses a diverse array of compositions that capture the essence of the American spirit. Whether you're commemorating the sacrifices of the armed forces with The Marine's Hymn or embracing the lively spirit of American folk with Oh! Susanna and Yankee Doodle, this collection has it all.Experience the pride and joy of being an American with Thirty Famous Patriotic Songs for Piano Accompaniment (Strings). Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of American history, as reflected in the music that has accompanied the nation through triumph and adversity. Let the melodies of liberty, unity, and patriotism resonate within your heart as you sing or play these beloved songs. Celebrate the legacy of a nation with Thirty Famous Patriotic Songs for Piano Accompaniment (Strings) and let the music of America inspire you.
