Par ALAKOTILA TIMO. Composer, musician Timo Alakotila (b. 1959) is a distinguished, active and versatile talent in the Finnish music scene whose long career working with different genres of music ? folk music in particular ? has been ground-breaking. Alakotila?s works showcase his versatility: he has produced highly acclaimed classical music compositions and arrangements for Pekka and Jaakko Kuusi…

String quartet no. 3. Par ALAKOTILA TIMO. Timo Alakotila's La cantina (String quartet no. 3, 2013) was commissioned by a distinguished Finnish string quartet Kamus. The title of the quartet in four movements was inspired by the ongoing renovation in the composer's basement (ital. La cantina) after a water damage. The first movement leads from tentative dialogues to a powerful unison. The lyrical s…

Das Liederspiel. Par HUMPERDINCK ENGELBERT. When Engelbert Humperdinck’s fairy tale opera Hänsel und Gretel was premiered on 23 December 1893 in Weimar conducted by Richard Strauss, the work could look back on an extensive history of origin. Humperdinck’s younger sister Adelheid Wette (born in 1858) had displayed a great interest in literature in her youth and written a variety of poems for specia…

Par SCARLATTI / GILBERT. Italian composer, Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) is well-known for his Keyboard compositions. His 555 Keyboard Sonatas remain ever popular to this day, and it is for this reason that this second volume is indispensable to performers of the genre. Originally composed for the Harpsichord, Organ or early Pianoforte, the Sonatas display the riveting use of discords and unconve…

Par HYNNINEN MAIJA. Maija Hynninen's piano quintet Nine-channeled Pearl flows effortlessly. Beginning with rhythmical gamelan-inspired movement it continues through twirling scales that lead to the heart of the piece – a sonorous bell-like harmonic on the piano. From this calm center the music continues floating in a dream-like world ending with a chorale played by the strings. Duration: 10' This …

The key of B-flat major and 3/4 time signature are featured in this early-intermediate solo by Judy East Wells. The left-hand is an excellent study in chord and interval analysis. Lyrical playing is fostered through the right-hand melody line. Together, they provide an opportunity for working on balance as well. Students will have no trouble creating the image of a Silver Lake through the music an…

Intermediate/Advanced. If you have been working on playing scales, chords, and harmony in general, this set is the next step towards getting your ears and fingers coordinated. This set is a continuation of Volume 3, but in much more depth. Features 23 CD tracks and most go through all 12 keys! Rhythm Section: Jamey Aebersold (p) John Clayton (b) Mike Hyman (d) Suggested Prerequisite: Volume 3…

As one of the best-selling artists of all time, Taylor Swift (b. 1989) needs no introduction. Since her debut album in 2006, she has been firmly established as one of the most popular artists working today. Her fifth studio album, 1989, released in October 2014, was the fastest-selling album in the United States in over a decade. As the title suggests, it is heavily influenced by 1980's pop and ma…

Virtuoso jazz in classical form: Nikolai Kapustin (b. 1937) is an excellent jazz pianist, arranger and composer. His piano sonatas are now published by Schott Music for the first time. Suitable for pianists looking for technically demanding pieces between modern and jazz music which sound like highly skilled, yet notated improvisation. / Piano

Virtuoso jazz in classical form: Nikolai Kapustin (b. 1937) is an excellent jazz pianist, arranger and composer. His piano sonatas are now published by Schott Music for the first time. Suitable for pianists looking for technically demanding pieces between modern and jazz music which sound like highly skilled, yet notated improvisation. / Piano