O Spirit

SKU: PR.114419200

ISBN 9781491114223. UPC: 680160671731. 9 x 12 inches.

Spirit was composed in memory of the renowned clarinetist Laura Flax. Laura commissioned Ran’s first solo clarinet work, For an Actor: Monologue for Clarinet, to premiere with the Da Capo Chamber Players in 1978. Ran returned to the clarinet in many compositions over the years, sometimes as a lead instrument and at other times as an important voice, yet always inspired by Laura’s rich sound, blazing technique, and the “brain and guts” that she brought to her playing. As a memorial, Spirit is not about absence, but rather a celebration displaying a wide range of emotions, with at least a tiny glimpse of Laura’s brilliant spirit and spiritedness. Only in the work’s final stretch does the sense of parting and loss take over.
SPIRIT was composed in memory of Laura Flax (1952-2017), the renowned New York-based clarinetist and my cherished friend. Our musical and personal association began in 1977 when Laura invited me to compose a solo clarinet work, For an Actor: Monologue for Clarinet, in memory of her mother, Hazel Flax, whom I had known.After composing For an Actor for Laura I came back to the clarinet in many of my compositions over the years, sometimes as a lead instrument and at other times as an important voice. In all of my clarinet music Laura is present. The rich sound, blazing technique, the “brain and guts” that she brought to her playing, and her remarkable person, have inspired me in so many ways during the four decades of our friendship, and beyond.I did not want Spirit to be about absence, though. I wanted the piece to exhibit a wider range of emotions, as well as capture at least a tiny glimpse of Laura’s brilliant spirit and spiritedness. Only in the work’s final stretch does the sense of “parting,” and of loss, take over.Upon completing Spirit on October 21, 2017 I found myself compelled to add at the bottom of the score the words “To Laura, always in my heart,” as though in an effort to reach out, for a brief moment, and touch the unreachable.—Shulamit Ran.

SKU: HL.4003893

UPC: 888680010225. 9x12 inches.

A powerful work for the symphonic band, Ode to the Spirit of Man is based on thematic material taken from the fourth movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and developed into a fantasy of kaleidoscopic nature. The opening is a joyful expression of the spirit of freedom and is based on the composer's own themes derived from Beethoven's music. Throughout the work, various themes from the symphony are interwoven, including Alla Marcia, Scherzo, Andante maestoso and finally the uplifting Ode to Joy. Duration: 5:15.

SKU: HL.7011696

UPC: 884088408299. 9.0x12.0x0.334 inches.

Here is a strikingly different composition for jazz ensemble from the pen of acclaimed jazz pianist and writer Steve Allee. Featuring a floating texture of parallel harmonics and melodic lines, Pure Spirit is a fresh-sounding and rewarding piece for the entire ensemble.

SKU: HL.4005849

UPC: 888680930196. 9.0x12.0x0.023 inches.

From a song shared by Squamish First Nation artist and performer Bob Baker, comes a new work for concert band shaped by Robert Buckley that will allow your students to experience the music of one of North America's First Peoples. Using aleatory elements, Spirit of the Wolf flows from a powerful pentatonic melody and grows into a work that is at once atmospheric and exciting. Dur: 3:20.

SKU: HL.345976

ISBN 9781540093172. UPC: 840126921229. 6.75x10.5x0.015 inches. John 14:15-18, Psalm 51:10.

Ideal for Lent or any time of year, this gentle anthem expresses a desire to live more like Christ in all we say and do. Short, optional prayers introduce each verse before the choir sings the graceful, flowing melody. Options for solo singing, descant, and use of chime tree (or finger cymbals) complement the reflective spirit of the piece fitting for older elementary, youth, and adult choirs. Available separately: Unison/opt. 2-Part Treble. Duration: ca. 2:50.

SKU: HL.8552402

UPC: 884088636272. 4.75x5 inches.

The noble spirit of the eagle is celebrated in this accessible work especially crafted for middle school boy choirs. Careful attention to ranges and voice leading along with a strong, masculine text describing the bravery and courage of the eagle will make this a fine selection for contest and festival performance. Available separately: TB, VoiceTrax CD. Duration: ca. 3:15.

SKU: PR.114418900

ISBN 9781491129517. UPC: 680160668632.

A welcome addition to the bass flute repertoire, Dorff’s 14-minute sonata is designed as two pairs of slow-fast movements. While composed as a complete 4-movement sonata, either half may be performed alone as a 7-minute recital work. The movement titles are: I. Sprawling, burbling; II. Sparkling, glistening; III. Under Winter; and IV. Spring Spirits.
When Peter Sheridan commissioned me to write a piece for bass flute and piano, his only requests were a sonata-like multi-movement work, and some kind of reference to New York, where we both grew up. Just the thought of a bass flute, with its broad and mighty airstream, already reminded me of the mighty Hudson River: from the dense woods of upstate New York, through the beautiful landscapes of New Paltz and Poughkeepsie, down through the celebrated Manhattan waterway.As I daydreamed how to build a sonata inspired by the Hudson, I thought of its deep primal nature carved by the Ice Age, and the life within the river and on its shores long before humans arrived. I thought of how the river’s magnetism drew Native Americans who honored and built their lives around it. I thought of beautiful trees and wildlife, the annual cycles of ecosystems, and the natural symbiosis between the river itself, the life within, and the life on land spawned by the river’s resources.I wondered what if Thoreau had sat by the Hudson rather than by Walden Pond; I wondered what if Hesse had set Siddhartha in the Hudson Valley with this river as his metaphor for the flow of life and time.I wondered whether the sonata should flow from north to south, or have chronological references. I wondered if I should allude to the many poets and painters who have drawn inspiration from the mighty Hudson. Every thought led to the river’s essence, its own spirit and life — flowing through raw nature, from skinny trickles to mightiness spawning cities; supporting subtle life, and becoming a central commons for human societies.The subtitle Spirit of the Hudson brings it all together.* * *The sonata is built in 4 movements, with formal inspiration from the Baroque: A slow Mvt. 1 “Sprawling, burbling” leads directly to the rapid Mvt. 2 “Sparkling, glistening,” followed by another slow-fast pair: Mvt. 3 “Under Winter” which leads directly into Mvt. 4 “Spring Spirits.” In addition to performances of the complete sonata, either pair of movements may be performed on its own for a shorter concert segment.SONATA (SPIRIT OF THE HUDSON) was premiered at the International Low Flutes Festival in April 2018 by its commissioner, bass flutist Peter Sheridan, with Hyeeun Hahm as pianist.