Brightest Star

SKU: MH.1-59913-072-6

ISBN 9781599130729.

Program Notes: It was a happy coincidence that the commission for SINFONIA XVI: TRANSCENDENTAL VIENNA came from the Henry David Thoreau School located in Vienna, Virginia. Thoreau is one of the magic names in American culture: Henry David Thoreau, one of the leading figures of the Transcendentalist movement, centered in 19th-century New England, left us a body of unique philosophical and poetical writings. To utter the words, Walden Pond, is to invoke an America long past in physical actuality, but still present in the minds and hearts of many American citizens. The name, Vienna, of course, summons thoughts of the Old World: culture, fine food, wine, civilized cities. While contemplating the form that SINFONIA XVI should take, I found myself thinking of two pillars of Viennese culture: expressionism and the waltz. Musically speaking, expressionism reached a zenith in the works of Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg. It was Berg, in particular, that I wanted to invoke in the outer movements of my composition. I knew I would also have to include a waltz, and an invocation of the mysterious forces that are contained in both expressionism and transcendentalism. Thus was the structure of the work generated. The outer movements with their vision of the night sky and the stars, Aldebaran and Sirius, frame the central movements, which are essentially two versions of the same material, and are quieter and less dramatic. The outer movements are symmetrical, and share both pitch and rhythmic materials. Accordingly, I see the work as a ternary form, with the central movements forming a unit within the outer frame: A (Movement 1) B (Movements 2 & 3) A' (Movement 4). Harmonically, the work can be summarized by the two pitch-series which occur in the opening bars of Movement 1: the initial 12-note row, with a tonal center on F-sharp (measures 1-6), and the subsequent D-minor Dorian 7-note row (beginning in measure 14). Aspects of these materials occur in all four movements, but they are most strongly present in Movements 1 and 4. Note that the 12-note row is not subjected to the usual serial procedures, but instead is treated as a signifier and is left unchanged. Since the fourth movement takes up where the first movement leaves off, I can conceive of one interpretation of SINFONIA XVI as an evocation of Thoreau himself contemplating two of the brightest stars on a clear, cold night. Aldebaran is an orange, first-magnitude star, located in the constellation Taurus; Sirius, the Dog Star, is the brightest star in the sky, and is located in the constellation Canis Major. Thoreau interrupts his star-gazing to entertain some inward thoughts, waking dreams, as it were, then returns his gaze to the splendid night sky and all its treasures. Although many other interpretations of the material are possible, it is important to remember that the abstract materials of the piece -- pitch, rhythm, structure -- are what count the most. Ensemble instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 4 Flute 1, 4 Flute 2, 3 Oboe, 1 Eb Clarinet (opt.), 4 Bb Clarinet 1, 4 Bb Clarinet 2, 4 Bb Clarinet 3, 3 Bass Clarinet, 3 Bassoon, 3 Eb Alto Saxophone 1, 3 Eb Alto Saxophone 2, 2 Bb Tenor Saxophone, 2 Eb Baritone Saxophone, 3 Bb Trumpet 1, 3 Bb Trumpet 2, 3 Bb Trumpet 3, 2 Horn 1, 2 Horn 2, 3 Trombone 1, 3 Trombone 2, 3 Euphonium B.C., 2 Euphonium T.C., 5 Tuba, 2 Timpani, 3 Percussion 1, 3 Percussion 2, 3 Percussion 3, 3 Percussion 4.

SKU: BT.DHP-1074329-140

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dutch.

The Englishman, Bishop Reginald Heber (1783?1826), wrote Brightestand Best of the Sons of the Morning for Epiphany. These lyrics werepublished in 1811, in the Christian Observer, but were set to music andissued in hymnal books only after Heber?s death, by English composerand organist James Proctor Harding. This attractive arrangement byHenk Hogestein will give every Christmas concert a certain elan.

De Engelsman Bishop Reginald Heber (1783-1826) schreef Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning voor het feest van Driekoningen. Deze tekst werd in 1811 gepubliceerd in de Christian Observer, maar pas na Hebers dood opmuziek gezet door James Proctor Harding (1850-1911) - onder de titel Morning Star. Het sfeervolle arrangement van Henk Hogestein geeft elk kerstconcert een zeker elan.

Morning Star ist die Vertonung eines Gedichts zum Dreikönigsfest aus der Feder des englischen Bischofs Reginald Heber aus dem 18. Jahrhundert. Das Lied des Organisten und Kirchenmusikkomponisten Harding wurde in mehrere englische Gesangbücher aufgenommen und wird heute noch oft gesungen. Dieses reizvolle Arrangement von Henk Hogestein verleiht jedem Weihnachtskonzert einen gewissen Schwung!

En 1811, le journal chrétien The Christian Observer publie le texte du cantique de l’Épiphanie, Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning, de l’évêque anglican Reginald Heber (1783-1826). Ce texte ne sera mis en musique et intégré dans des recueils de cantiques que plusieurs années après la mort de son auteur. James Proctor Harding (1850-1911) fut organiste l’église St. Andrew d’Islington (Londres) pendant plus de trente-cinq ans. Il composa également des œuvres de musique sacrée. En 1892, il met en musique le texte de Reginald Heber. Le cantique sera publié sous le nom de Morning Star (“Étoile du matin”).Ce charmant arrangement d’Henk Hogesteinapporte une touche de brillance tout concert de Noël.

SKU: AP.29606S

UPC: 038081328270. English.

Journey to Aldebaran is a bright new overture of intergalactic proportions. Aldebaran is the brightest star in the constellation Taurus and one of the brightest starts in the night sky. The composition is reminiscent of science fiction movie themes but scored for the contemporary concert band. The wide variety of styles, from pensive melodic passages to driving dynamic bursts of energy, ensures that this bright new work will be a meaningful contribution to the concert band literature. (4:25).

SKU: CF.CAS117

ISBN 9781491153291. UPC: 680160910793. 9 x 12 inches. Key: A major.

Abendstern, composed by Lauren Bernofsky,?evokes an image of a sunset over the tree-covered hills of the Bavarian countryside with the Abendstern, or evening star, shining brightly over the scene. A hauntingly beautiful theme in falling thirds?evokes the treetops as they become darker and murkier. This piece is a wonderful addition to any concert program and can be used as a touching?tribute at a memorial service.
One summer night during a visit to Bavaria in southern Germany, I stood outside on a balcony overlooking the hills of the Bavarian forest, watching the beautiful early-evening sky. It was still light out, but I could make out one solitary star in the sky. As the sun slowly went down, the landscape became more and more dark and indistinct, and the star shone brighter and brighter. My mother-in-law stood there with me. I asked her the name of the star, and she answered, Abendstern (or Evening Star.) I was so moved by what I saw, I went inside and took out my manuscript paper and started to write down this piece. The tree-covered hills and tranquility of the evening are evoked by the theme, whose contour (with little bumps) mirrors the contour of the treetops on the hills. The star is represented by the sustained note E; at the beginning of the piece, it can be heard in a low register in the violas, and over the course of the piece, it is heard in higher and higher octaves, as the star shines ever more brightly. By the end, the landscape has disappeared into the darkness, and now all we see is the star, shining its brightest, and played by the upper strings, now harmonized to convey its brilliant light..
One summer night during a visit to Bavaria in southern Germany, I stood outside on a balcony overlooking the hills of the Bavarian forest, watching the beautiful early-evening sky. It was still light out, but I could make out one solitary star in the sky. As the sun slowly went down, the landscape became more and more dark and indistinct, and the star shone brighter and brighter. My mother-in-law stood there with me. I asked her the name of the star, and she answered, Abendstern (or Evening Star.) I was so moved by what I saw, I went inside and took out my manuscript paper and started to write down this piece. The tree-covered hills and tranquility of the evening are evoked by the theme, whose contour (with little bumps) mirrors the contour of the treetops on the hills. The star is represented by the sustained note E; at the beginning of the piece, it can be heard in a low register in the violas, and over the course of the piece, it is heard in higher and higher octaves, as the star shines ever more brightly. By the end, the landscape has disappeared into the darkness, and now all we see is the star, shining its brightest, and played by the upper strings, now harmonized to convey its brilliant light..
One summer night during a visit to Bavaria in southern Germany, I stood outside on a balcony overlooking the hills of the Bavarian forest, watching the beautiful early-evening sky. It was still light out, but I could make out one solitary star in the sky. As the sun slowly went down, the landscape became more and more dark and indistinct, and the star shone brighter and brighter. My mother-in-law stood there with me. I asked her the name of the star, and she answered, Abendstern (or Evening Star.) I was so moved by what I saw, I went inside and took out my manuscript paper and started to write down this piece. The tree-covered hills and tranquility of the evening are evoked by the theme, whose contour (with little bumps) mirrors the contour of the treetops on the hills. The star is represented by the sustained note E; at the beginning of the piece, it can be heard in a low register in the violas, and over the course of the piece, it is heard in higher and higher octaves, as the star shines ever more brightly. By the end, the landscape has disappeared into the darkness, and now all we see is the star, shining its brightest, and played by the upper strings, now harmonized to convey its brilliant light.

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:

• Expanded use of rhythms, ranges and keys but technical demands are still carefully considered
• More comprehensive bowing techniques
• Viola T.C. included
• Careful selection of keys and degree of difficulty for advancing musicians

SKU: SU.91580100

A Grateful Tail - Movement by Movement Siriusly, Dog Star Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, has been used by travelers and navigators for thousands of years as a guiding star and so it is here as the opening movement for the symphony. Sirius, the cornerstone to the constellation Canis Maggiore or Big Dog sits at the foot of Orion, the hunter, leading the way. Highly cinematic, the movement evokes both a musical and visual sense of the mythological and mysterious elements of Sirius and its Dog Godstar secrets. From the clarion call of the opening, Sirius theme, the sound is buoyant and frisky emulating the nature of doggy playtime. Puppy pleasures abound as a doggy four-step, my turn on the traditional American two-step dance, is introduced. The movement transforms into an actual orchestrated frolic of small, large and medium dog barks beginning with the winds (smaller dogs) and ultimately, the big dog, brass. The movement climaxes with the coda or, Dog Park, where the winds and the brass bark and play together over the, doggy ostinato four-step rhythm, culminating with the final call of the Sirius theme. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, Peacefully It's all in a dog's day and life. Tranquility presides over this supremely gentle, intermezzo-like movement. After a day of play, every dog needs rest. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, is a lyrical andante inspired by the profound serenity and beauty of a dog at rest. The Last Will and Testament of Silverdene Emblem O'Neill Based on a powerful piece of prose written by the American playwright, Eugene O'Neill this text was intended as a consolation piece for Carlotta, his wife, who had become grief-stricken over the loss of their beloved dog, the Dalmatian known as Blemie.Written for a singing actor who personifies the role of Blemie, a dog at the end of his life, the movement plays like a one act, musical drama as we follow Blemie through a wonderfully three-dimensional, emotional and psychological journey writing his Last Will and Testament, for those who have loved him. Wagging the Tail: Ossia Fido's Lament A life-affirming rumba/samba using Blemie's final words from O'Neill's text, this final movement employs the most unique American musical invention, the gospel choir. In order to make the dances come alive, this movement also calls upon the colors of a rhythm section. Creating the spirit of an Irish Funeral, the movement is a joyful and revival-like celebration of a dog's life as its spirit lives on forever in the hearts and minds of dog lovers everywhere. Remember Me, remember me! My spirit is wagging a grateful tail. Published by: Subito Music Publishing Release Date: July 9, 2013.

SKU: MN.30-001

UPC: 688670300011.

Based on Brightest and Best Are the Stars of the Morning (MORNING STAR) and Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (HYFRYDOL). Full lush harmonies. Variety of techniques. May also be used as a teaching tool. 2 octaves (17 bells).

SKU: HL.48184235

UPC: 888680904852. 9.0x12.0x0.065 inches.

“Contemporary composer Amy Quate works in a wide variety of musical styles, forms and media. Composed in 1982 and dedicated to saxophonist Debra Richtmeyer, Light of Sothis creatively depicts the brightest star in heaven. Sothis, now called Sirius, is the star aspect of the goddess Isis, whose light confines the cycles of nature which bring beauty, prosperity and life. It is believed that Sothis blesses us with sacred illumination and it is this which Quate depicts in Light of Sothis. In three movements, Grace, Passion and Faith, the Saxophone line has lyrical melodies contrasted with dramatic scalic passages, covering the entire range of the instrument. Suitable for intermediate level saxophonists, a performance Quate's Light of Sothis proves to be an enticing prospect.”.

SKU: HL.4005292

UPC: 888680705008. 9.0x12.0x0.055 inches.

From the 2017 installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean saga, the soundtrack by Geoff Zanelli features powerful themes that effectively capture the emotions of the film. Here's a well-paced and dramatic medley for the concert stage.

SKU: FL.FX072874

Cor Hydrae, the heart of the snake, is the name given to the brightest star in the constellation Hydra... A musical journey to propose to young instrumentalists with 4 years of musical experience. - Pascal PROUST ; Instruments: 1 Bb Clarinet 1 Piano; Difficuly Level: Grade 3.

SKU: FL.FX072875

Cor Hydrae, the heart of the snake, is the name given to the brightest star in the constellation Hydra... A musical journey to propose to young instrumentalists with 4 years of musical experience. - Pascal PROUST ; Instruments: 1 C Trumpetor 1 Bb Trumpet/Cornet 1 Piano; Difficuly Level: Grade 3.