Par SCHWEITZER BENJAMIN. The chiaroscuro-technique developed by painters of the Italian renaissance served to intensify contrasts and effects of optical depth. In Klar/Obskur, I tried to transfer the general idea of this technique on the rather unusual instrumentation of two double-reed woodwinds and piano. On the one hand, a clear, well articulated playing is characteristic for these instruments,…

Par SCHLEE THOMAS DANIEL. For composer Thomas Daniel Schlee, the 'intimate sound possibilities of the string quartet” have the potential 'to formulate an, albeit 'only' individual, solution to the somewhat forlorn condition of new art music within society that we are unfortunately experiencing today.” Schlee's Fourth String Quartet opens with a pure C major sound, out of which he develops a harmo…

Par TCHAIKOVSKI PIOTR ILITCH. The Nutcracker Suite is a piano arrangement of the concert version of the ballet of that name. Tchaikovsky used only part of the music for the ballet in the suite. The Overture, and the March which is the most important of the characteristic dances in the Suite, come from the first act of the ballet. The remaining dances originate from the second act. They are: The Da…

Par CHOSTAKOVITCH DIMITRI. Just back from a trip to Leipzig in the early autumn of 1950 where he heard Bach's Well-Tempered Klavier at the Bicentennial Bach Competition played by the Russian pianist Tatiana Nikolaeva, Shostakovich began his own series of 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87, based on Bach's model. He composed them quickly, starting on October 10, 1950, and finishing on February 23, 1951…

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. Metalla was commissioned by the 'Kreisverband Altenkirchen' of Germany and dedicated to Ottomar Jung. The composer himself conducted the premiere of the piece, which was performed by the 'Jugendorchester Kreisverband Altenkirchen' on 25 March 1999. The region of Altenkirchen is known for its iron mines, which find musical expression in the dark mood of the introduction (anda…

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. Metalla was commissioned by the 'Kreisverband Altenkirchen' of Germany and dedicated to Ottomar Jung. The composer himself conducted the premiere of the piece, which was performed by the 'Jugendorchester Kreisverband Altenkirchen' on 25 March 1999. The region of Altenkirchen is known for its iron mines, which find musical expression in the dark mood of the introduction (anda…

How often do we find a warm ballad written especially for Hanukkah? No boom-chicks here, and no minor key either, just a tender heartfelt message of family and tradition. Incorporates a contemporary setting of the traditional Hebrew 'Maoz Tzur? just before a dramatic modulation to the final refrain. / 3 Parties Mixtes

Par HOSAY JAMES L.. What an outstanding way to conclude your concert. James L. Hosay writes some of the most exciting music to be found in Concert Band literature, and music doesn’t get much more exciting than this! While titled as a Grand Finale, this concert band tour de force can be programmed in numerous ways. Consider it also as a roof-raising opener or even in the guise of an entr’acte as yo…

Par HOSAY JAMES L.. What an outstanding way to conclude your concert. James L. Hosay writes some of the most exciting music to be found in Concert Band literature, and music doesn’t get much more exciting than this! While titled as a Grand Finale, this concert band tour de force can be programmed in numerous ways. Consider it also as a roof-raising opener or even in the guise of an entr’acte as yo…

Par RADLEY ROBERTA. Ear player, schooled musician, or somewhere in between — this book will improve your ability to transcribe music, and help you make the connection between the music you hear and what it looks like on the page. This book defines a step-by-step process, the “ABCs,” toward achieving the goal of seeing what you hear, and hearing what you see. A simple formula is used for this proce…