Harbor Music

SKU: PR.16400222S

UPC: 680160037841.

This work follows my Quartet No. 1 by five years. In terms of style and aesthetic aim, however, it seems light years away. Where the first work, a 28-minute, four-movement piece, took aim at cosmic conflicts and heroic resolutions, the present work is intended as a kind of divertissment. Harbor Music lasts a mere eleven minutes, is cast in a single movement with six sections, and should leave both performers and listeners with a feeling of good humor and affection.   The title comes from my experience as a guest in the magnificent city of Sydney, Australia. One of its most attractive features is its unique system of ferry boats: the city is laid out around a large, multi-channeled harbor, with destinations more easily approached by water than by land. Consequently, inhabitants of Sydney get around on small, people-friendly boats that come and go from the central docks at Circular Quay. During a week's visit in 1991, I must have boarded these boats at least a dozen times, always bound for a new location - the resort town of Manley, or the Zoo at Taronga Park, or the shopping district at Darling Harbour.   In casting about for a form for my second string quartet, a kind of loose rondo came to mind. Each new destination would be approached from the same starting-out point (although there are subtle variations in the repeating theme; it's always in a new key, and the texture is never the same). The result, I hope, is a sense of constant new information presented with introductory frames of a more familiar nature.   The embarkation theme, which begins the piece, is a sort of bi-tonal fanfare in which the violins are in G major and the viola and cello are in B-flat major. It is bold, eager, and forward-looking. The first voyage maintains this bi-tonality, beginning as a 9/8 due for second violin and viola in a kind of rocking motion -much as a boat produces when reaching the deeper water in the harbor. A sweet, nostalgic theme emerges over this rocking accompaniment. This music is developed somewhat, then transforms quickly into a much faster and lighter episode, filled with rising and falling scales (again, in differing keys). A scherzando interlude in short notes and changing meters provides contrast, and the episode ends with a reprise of the scales.   The second embarkation follows, this time in A major/C major. It leads quickly into a very warm and slow theme, in wide-leaping intervals for the viola. This section is interrupted twice by solo cadenzas for the cello, suggesting distant boat-horns in major thirds. The end of the episode becomes a transition, with boat-horns leading into the final appearance of the embarkation music, this time in trills and tremolos instead of sharply accented chords. The nostalgic theme of the first episode makes a final appearance, serving now as a coda. The rocking motion continues, in a lullaby fashion, leaving us drowsy and satisfied on our homeward journey.   Harbor Music was written for the Cavani Quartet, and is dedicated to Richard J. Bogomolny. Commissioned by his employees at First National Supermarkets as a gift, it represents a thank you from many of the people (including this composer) who have benefitted from his vision and generosity. An ardent advocate of chamber music (and a cellist himself), Mr. Bogomolny has for many years been Chairman of the Board of Chamber Music America. -- Dan Welcher.

SKU: CF.SPS95

ISBN 9781491161302. UPC: 680160919895.

Writt en to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the surprise attack on the American Pacific Fleet, Remembering Pearl Harbor is a stirring tribute honoring the heroes of the date which will live in infamy- December 7, 1941. Like flying over the Pacific, the opening bars seemingly soar back in time. The composition takes the listener on a moving journey from the precarious moments before the fateful attack, through the air strike and resulting aftermath. The musical voyage begins with chimes, signifying the hour of the attack that Sunday morning, developing into the heroic main theme representing the Spirit of America. A rousing version of Anchors Aweigh takes us to the naval base at Pearl Harbor and the activities of the day. By the end of Anchors Aweigh, the mood seems to change, foreshadowing the fate of the U.S. fleet. Next, the haunting theme of the Japanese National Anthem is heard and the distant sound of propellers as they approach. When the planes arrive, the battle rages until there is total destruction. Countless people lost their lives on this tragic day. The playing of Taps and the Navy Hymn, Eternal Father, Strong to Save is presented as an homage to those who perished. Following this solemn moment, the American spirit begins to rise as they come together to defeat the enemy. As the U.S. triumphs in the end, we hear fragments of many American tunes depicting the strength and resilience of the American People. You may want to consider using portions of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's famous speech to enhance your performance. The following sections are suggested: Measure 46: Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. Measure 83: The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. Measure 105: No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory..
Written to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the surprise attack on the American Pacific Fleet, Remembering Pearl Harbor is a stirring tribute honoring the heroes of the “date which will live in infamy”- December 7, 1941. Like flying over the Pacific, the opening bars seemingly soar back in time. The composition takes the listener on a moving journey from the precarious moments before the fateful attack, through the air strike and resulting aftermath.The musical voyage begins with chimes, signifying the hour of the attack that Sunday morning, developing into the heroic main theme representing the Spirit of America. A rousing version of Anchors Aweigh takes us to the naval base at Pearl Harbor and the activities of the day. By the end of Anchors Aweigh, the mood seems to change, foreshadowing the fate of the U.S. fleet.  Next, the haunting theme of the Japanese National Anthem is heard and the distant sound of propellers as they approach. When the planes arrive, the battle rages until there is total destruction. Countless people lost their lives on this tragic day. The playing of Taps and the Navy Hymn, Eternal Father, Strong to Save is presented as an homage to those who perished.Following this solemn moment, the American spirit begins to rise as they come together to defeat the enemy. As the U.S. triumphs in the end, we hear fragments of many American tunes depicting the strength and resilience of the American People.You may want to consider using portions of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s famous speech to enhance your performance.  The following sections are suggested:Measure 46: “Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”Measure 83: “The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost.”Measure 105: “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”.

SKU: CF.SPS95F

ISBN 9781491161845. UPC: 680160920525.

Writt en to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the surprise attack on the American Pacific Fleet, Remembering Pearl Harbor is a stirring tribute honoring the heroes of the date which will live in infamy- December 7, 1941. Like flying over the Pacific, the opening bars seemingly soar back in time. The composition takes the listener on a moving journey from the precarious moments before the fateful attack, through the air strike and resulting aftermath. The musical voyage begins with chimes, signifying the hour of the attack that Sunday morning, developing into the heroic main theme representing the Spirit of America. A rousing version of Anchors Aweigh takes us to the naval base at Pearl Harbor and the activities of the day. By the end of Anchors Away, the mood seems to change, foreshadowing the fate of the U.S. fleet. Next, the haunting theme of the Japanese National Anthem is heard and the distant sound of propellers as they approach. When the planes arrive, the battle rages until there is total destruction. Countless people lost their lives on this tragic day. The playing of Taps and the Navy Hymn, Eternal Father, Strong to Save is presented as an homage to those who perished. Following this solemn moment, the American spirit begins to rise as they come together to defeat the enemy. As the U.S. triumphs in the end, we hear fragments of many American tunes depicting the strength and resilience of the American People. You may want to consider using portions of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's famous speech to enhance your performance. The following sections are suggested: Measure 46: Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. Measure 83: The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. Measure 105: No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory..
Written to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the surprise attack on the American Pacific Fleet, Remembering Pearl Harbor is a stirring tribute honoring the heroes of the “date which will live in infamy”- December 7, 1941. Like flying over the Pacific, the opening bars seemingly soar back in time. The composition takes the listener on a moving journey from the precarious moments before the fateful attack, through the air strike and resulting aftermath.The musical voyage begins with chimes, signifying the hour of the attack that Sunday morning, developing into the heroic main theme representing the Spirit of America. A rousing version of Anchors Aweigh takes us to the naval base at Pearl Harbor and the activities of the day. By the end of Anchors Away, the mood seems to change, foreshadowing the fate of the U.S. fleet.  Next, the haunting theme of the Japanese National Anthem is heard and the distant sound of propellers as they approach. When the planes arrive, the battle rages until there is total destruction. Countless people lost their lives on this tragic day. The playing of Taps and the Navy Hymn, Eternal Father, Strong to Save is presented as an homage to those who perished.Following this solemn moment, the American spirit begins to rise as they come together to defeat the enemy. As the U.S. triumphs in the end, we hear fragments of many American tunes depicting the strength and resilience of the American People.You may want to consider using portions of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s famous speech to enhance your performance.  The following sections are suggested:Measure 46: “Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”Measure 83: “The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost.”Measure 105: “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”.