First Light

SKU: BT.DHP-1165725-010

English-German-French-Dutch.

A Vision of the First Light was commissioned by the Kitami Wind Ensemble, as a commemorative work for their 30th Anniversary. Satoshi Yagisawa composed this piece to conjure “Illusion seen through the dawn” of Hokkaido. The work starts with a quiet and beautiful introduction describing the landscape. The music is rising towards a festive, celebrating fanfare, before a deep tranquility descends, towards the end, creating a moment of reflection.

A Vision of the First Light werd geschreven in opdracht van het Kitami Wind Ensemble, ter gelegenheid van het dertigjarig bestaan van dit orkest. Satoshi Yagisawa componeerde het werk op basis van ‘beelden gezien bij het ochtendgloren’ van Hokkaido. De compositie opent met een mooie, rustige beschrijving van het landschap. De muziek bouwt dan op naar een briljante, feestelijke fanfare, waarna ze tegen het slot weer tot rust komt in een moment van reflectie.

A Vision of the First Light wurde vom Kitami Wind Ensemble aus Anlass seines 30-jährigen Bestehens in Auftrag gegeben. Satoshi Yagisawa komponierte das Stück, um eine Illusion von Hokkaido in der Morgendämmerung“ zu erwecken. Das Werk beginnt mit einer leisen und wunderschönen Einleitung, in der die Landschaft beschrieben wird. Die Musik steigert sich bis zu einer festlichen Fanfare, bevor eine tiefe Gelassenheit zum Schluss hin eintritt.

A Vision of the First Light fut commandé par le Kitami Wind Ensemble comme œuvre commémorative pour son 30e anniversaire. Satoshi Yagisawa a composé ce morceau pour évoquer « L’illusion travers l’aube » de Hokka do. L’œuvre commence par une introduction calme et magnifique qui décrit le paysage. La musique s’élève jusqu’ une fanfare festive, avant qu’une tranquillité profonde ne s’empare de l’atmosphère et crée un moment de réflexion vers la fin.

SKU: AP.44839

UPC: 038081518367. English.

This work sensitively conveys the rising sun as it first greets America each morning on Cadillac Mountain at Acadia National Park. Written by Andrew H. Dabczynski in celebration of that park's centennial, this enchanting piece provides an opportunity for young string players to musically express the magic of dawn on the mountain, of light sparkling on the ocean, of swelling seas as a squall approaches, and of the returning calm as the light recedes. Acadia First Light will transport players and audiences alike to Acadia, that treasured national gem. (3:30).

SKU: PE.EP73479

ISBN 9790577019888. 297 x 210mm inches. English.

At First Light was commissioned by Eric Bruskin, a resident of Philadelphia, USA, in memory of his mother. Eric had a longstanding enthusiasm for my work, and I was touched to be the person he approached for a task which is both a privilege and a daunting responsibility. In a sense, no music can ever measure up to the weight of love or the hope of consolation vested in it under such circumstances - but in memory I carry the deaths of both my own parents, and I was able to draw upon that. Eric's fondness for my Cello Sonata (itself written in memoriam) led him to ask that I include a solo 'cello part in the new work - but his attachment also to my polyphonic sacred choral writing meant that he wanted a centrepiece which would be both a showcase of that approach and the celebration of a life well lived. Therefore, the seven movements of At First Light arrange themselves as a series of slow meditations surrounding an exuberant 9-minute motet in which the lamenting cello falls temporarily silent.

Eric's Jewish faith meant that approaching an agnostic humanist brought up within the Anglican tradition was hardly free of problems! Gradually, though, I was able to win his approval for a collated mosaic of texts. This embraces some liturgical Latin (necessary for the motet) as the shared preserve of broad western culture in general, but balances it with a secular approach to loss, celebration, remembrance and the many shades of our mourning those whom we see no longer. Eric was adamant that he did not want the title Requiem; but what has emerged is still a form of semi-secular Requiem in all but name, taking its title instead from a phrase in the poem by Thomas Blackburn set as the third movement. This seemed to suggest succinctly how the loss of one very close to us is an awakening into an unfamiliar world where everything is changed. Following the exuberant central movement, the texts by the Lebanese-born Kahlil Gibran and the US, Kentuckian poet Wendell Berry first address the departed loved one directly, then place us within an imaginary funeral cortege, where the perennial and universal in human experience become personal without subscribing explicitly to any particular faith (or lack of it). The final text of all is a translation of a Hebraic prayer, requested and provided by Eric Bruskin, which serves to mirror its Latin counterpart heard at the outset.

Throughout, the lamenting cello represents a commentary on the experience articulated in the text. It evokes and, in a sense, tries to embrace and sanctify the individual existential journeys of the bereft, as they in turn seek to make their own sense of what the short-lived Second World War poet Alun Lewis called 'the unbearable beauty of the dead' (movement 5).

In a modern world hostage to ever greater menace, displacement, bloodshed and anguish, I hope fervently that this music not only brings a measure of solace to the person who commissioned it, but also makes its own small contribution to bailing out the sinking ship of humanity.

SKU: LP.OR-9107

UPC: 765762093201.

The First Light - a still fresh and singable easy SATB work arranged by Tom Fettke. It's great for small or large choirs and includes optional opportunities for participation by children's choir and congregation. Song titles include: Gloria; For unto Us a Child Is Born; In the First Light; O Little Town of Bethlehem; and more.

SKU: CL.011-4729-01

The Morning’s First Light, a beautiful and expressive lyrical composition, is David Shaffer at his finest. Lush harmonies and flowing melodies throughout each instrumental group paint a musical portrait of serene beauty as we experience those first points of light. An excellent composition for the teaching of phrasing and lyrical performance. A sure hit with your students and audiences!

SKU: CL.023-4211-01

First Light is a dynamic and forceful fanfare for the youngest musicians. Written using only the first six notes found in most beginning band books, this exciting fanfare will be the perfect opener for your first full band concerts. Interesting wind parts are complimented by the dramatic percussion scoring making your young ensemble sound impressively full.

SKU: HL.235867

ISBN 9781495095634. UPC: 888680694746. 9.0x12.0x0.269 inches.

50 great folk favorites simply arranged with lyrics for beginning pianists to learn. Includes: Amazing Grace • Buffalo Gals (Won't You Come Out Tonight?) • Down by the Riverside • Good Night Ladies • Home on the Range • I've Been Working on the Railroad • Kumbaya • Man of Constant Sorrow • Michael Row the Boat Ashore • My Old Kentucky Home • Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen • Oh! Susanna • The Red River Valley • Scarborough Fair • She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain • This Little Light of Mine • Turkey in the Straw • The Wabash Cannon Ball • When the Saints Go Marching In • Yankee Doodle • The Yellow Rose of Texas • and more.

About First 50

You've been taking lessons, you've got a few chords under your belt, and you're ready to buy a songbook. Now what? Hal Leonard has the answers in its First 50 series. The First 50 series steers new players in the right direction. These books contain easy to intermediate arrangements for must-know songs. Each arrangement is simple and streamlined, yet still captures the essence of the tune.

SKU: HL.293400

ISBN 9781540051028. UPC: 888680936174. 5.0x5.0x0.197 inches.

This cantata is a celebration of light. Filled with time-honored carols and expressive original songs, this work will dazzle and inspire. The first half of the cantata is dedicated to hopeful prophecies associated with the coming Light of the World. With the birth of Jesus, the second part moves forward to declare the tidings of great joy and is crowned with an opportunity for the congregation to join in singing, Joy to the World. Brant Adams and Robert Sterling shine as orchestrators of this truly festive work. Glorious! Songs include: A Festive Call to Christmas; Celebration of Light; Come, Golden Light; Dazzling Joy; Beautiful Name; Dreamer of Stars; Angel Song; Silver and Shadows; Joyous Carols of Christmas. Score and Parts for Full Orchestra (fl 1-2, ob, cl 1-2, bn, hn 1-2, tpt 1-3, tbn, 1-2, tba, timp, perc 1-2, hp, pno, vn 1-2, va, vc, db) available as a Printed Edition and as a digital download. Score and Parts for Consort (fl, cl, tpt 1-2, tbn, perc, kybd str) available as a Printed Edition and as a digital download.