SKU: A0.961877

From the Japanese “bukimi no tani� (first used by Dr. Mori in 1970), “uncanny valley� refers to the concept that imperfect humanoid objects will evoke uncanny or uneasy feelings in a viewer. Similarly, I believe that there can be an uneasy disconnect in concert venues when listening to pre-recorded sound, especially as it begins to approximate the sounds of real, on-stage performers. Simulacrum explores this concept by intermingling both a live and pre-recorded piano into a singular texture. Blurring and obscuring the lines between what is human and what is digital, this work actively tasks the listener with reconciling the two aspects into a unified listening experience. For more music from Aaron Lee, you can visit www.MusicOfLee.com.

SKU: A0.998356

    This piece tells the epic story of Hades' abduction of his niece, Persephone. According to the legend, Hades came up through a crack in the ground and snatched the girl while she was playing. In the Underworld, he tried to seduce her in a variety of ways, but to no avail. Finally, Hades is said to have tricked her into staying by offering her a tempting pomegranate. As Persephone ate 6 seeds, she was to stay in the Underworld for six months each year. It is said that while Persphone is in the Underworld, the plants wither and die, and when she comes back to the surface she brings rebirth to growing things.

This piece begins with playful pizzicato lines that build upon each other. These represent Persphone at play, but forebodes the dark forces that are encircling her. When the orchestra goes to arco, Persphone is being dragged into the Underworld. A mournful violin solo signifies her arrival, but this mournful theme is quickly replace by the devious seductions of Hades in the form of a humorous waltz. Finally, Hades offers the pomegranate to Persephone and she eats 6 seeds (represented by the six beats of the B major chord in measures 76 and 77). The main theme then takes over once again, modulating to F# minor to represent Hades' victory.

With relentless energy, catchy ostinati and opportunities to work on shifting, pizzicato and arco throughout, this piece will not dissapoint for audiences and students alike.

A FEW NOTES:

1. I'd recommend rehearsing the rhythms of recurring ostinati together- first pizzicato then arco. You may get creative and incorporate scales with these rhythms. However you do it, it'll be important that each ostinato is played with precision and confidence.

2. Have fun with the waltz section! It's meant to portray the strange, whimsical nature of Hades' attempts to woo Persephone, so the awkwardness in delivery is encouraged!

3. All ritardandos should be exaggerated for the sake of drama.

4. Encourage your drumset player to explore different ways of accompanying the orchestra- the drumset part is a blueprint, not definitive instructions.

5. Be sure to practice shifting into 2nd position for the modulation.

I hope you and your students have a great time putting this epic piece together! I had a ton of fun writing it!

~Aaron Fonzi

SKU: A0.998359

     This lyrical piece is a delightful way to introduce your young band to ballad style. Exploring slurs, accents, dynamics, caesuras, ritardandos and more, you'll be shocked by how sophisticated this beautiful piece sounds while using only a limited number of notes. 


     Written to convey the playful innocence of a child dreaming, In Your Slumber balances the calm of a starry sky with the imagination and adventure of a child's mind at rest. Simple and elegant, the lullaby played by the flutes in the beginning gives way to an imaginative variation on the theme by the trumpets and clarinets at B. Gentle, pulsating tenutos in the harmonizing chords underneath are symbolic of relaxed, rhythmic breathing underlying the musical thoughts flowing by above them. Just as in dreams we seldom have control of which direction the story may go, D takes us somewhere else musically and implies a build to a false climax. At E, we are greeted with the quiet sounds of the night once more, but this time our imagination runs wild as the music builds to the climax of the piece at F. This powerful proclamation of the melody is concluded with a gentle final statement in the flute and clarinet, and the piece concludes with the final twinkle of the stars as the sun rises for a new day.

Full of imagination, beauty and teachable moments throughout, I hope that you and your students can enjoy and appreciate this piece for it's simple beauty as I do. Onward!

~Aaron Fonzi

REHEARSAL NOTES:


1. The clarinet part should be a very light drone creating atmosphere at the beginning- the same goes for the clarinet and saxophone at rehearsal E.

2. It's easy to get too loud too soon in this piece, so remind your students to have patience. F is the climax of the piece, but many young students will want to play C as if it is. Similarly, be sure to balance the trumpet/ clarinet and the flute/ oboe/ bells at C so both lines come out evenly.

3. Take your time in measure 48- we want to naturally fade away and pause before going on at rehearsal E. This increase and decrease in energy is a characterization of the ebb and flow of the piece.

4. At F, there are 3 important parts that must be balanced: flute/oboe/bells; trumpet/clarinet; alto saxophone/horn. For best results, balance these 3 parts, and encourage the alto/horn line to play out a bit more than they think they need to. They are the new part which must be heard here.

5. Have fun and use your imagination in terms of expressing the music- ask your students what it makes them think of and create a story to go along with it. Let this ultimately guide your interpretation. I am consistently impressed with the creative ideas my students come up with, so let them decide how the music should sound with their own stories. In your slumber, anything is possible!