SKU: S9.Q19129

I wanted to write a companion piece for Tiger Dancing, which was written for the choreographer Henri Oguike and his company. Although Eternity's Sunrise was written for the concert hall rather than the theatre, dance is a pervasive feature of the music, the ensemble plays almost throughout in rhythmic unison. The opening burst sets the stage for what follows and makes a short final return as a coda. The work last about sixteen minutes. Steve Martland. The work has a powerful impact on both players and audiences, it's high-voltage music requireing real stamina from the performers. Audences at the premiere and subsequent tour loved it and the work would make marvellous dance music. The title of this piece comes from lines by the visionary English poet William Blake: He who binds to himself a joy Does the winged life destroy; But he who kisses the joy as it flies Lives in eternity's sunrise. Incidentally, this poem was on Stockhausen's desk for most of his working life, and his death occurred as Steve was writing the piece.

SKU: A0.1022594

'Re-Creation' Program Notes What is time, and where did it come from? These two questions consumed my thought process while writing Re-Creation. Upon completing the piece, I was no closer to answering those questions, but what I could answer became clear: could I write a piece in which time ceases to exist? In order to do this, I decided early on to throw out conventional notation that tends to restrict most performers. As my thought process evolved, I began contemplating the idea of juxtaposing the continuum of timelessness against the traditional view of time. Not only did this free me from the confines of a specific time, it opened up the entire spectrum of time, creating the possibility of infinity and the eternal existence of the continuity of time that invariably existed from the earliest sketches of this piece. The early sketches of this piece were written in my coastal Californian studio during the summer months of 2014, and because of this, Re-Creation represents not only a freedom of time, but also a sound world unique to California’s breathtaking coast. However, the impetus for this piece was the opening chapters of the book of Genesis, portraying the creation of the world in seven days. In this respect, the usage of three and seven play and important roll in the overall structure of this piece. Re-Creation was also inspired by a vacation I had taken a year before where I drove up the coast, stopping in small towns periodically, to collect poems from local authors. One collection of poems from Jeanie Greensfelder entitled, Biting the Apple, caught my attention. Reading through the poems, I began to realize that each poem was unique in that it marked a special time and place in the authors life, ultimately providing the reader with an autobiographical time capsule. The arch of the author’s life was thus on display for the world to read inevitably transforming her life, rather than her work, into the work of art. My hope for The Creation is that it portrays a snapshot of the Californian coast in which it was written, so that it can have a life of it’s own, free from the confines of it’s author and any concert hall it is performed in.

SKU: A0.1422018

What was I Made For? is a soulful ballad that delves into the universal question of purpose and self-discovery.  With poignant lyrics and a haunting melody, this arrangement for string orchestra and flex instrumental solos, explores the journey of introspection, gappling with one's place in the world, and the search for meaning in life.  A beautiful and touching addition to your next concert!  This arrangement invites listeners to reflect on their own existential inquiries.  Through its introspective and stirring arrangement, What Was I Made For? resonates deeply with anyone who has ever questioned their purpose or felt adrift in the vastness of existence.

SKU: A0.736695

The PDF contains the score and all parts. Imagine for a minute - your contract is coming up for renewal, your employer is just about to celebrate their wedding anniversary and they ask you to organise the entertainment for the big party. That's OK, you know you can do it under normal circumstances but they give you an impossibly short deadline to sort it out. I don't know about you but I think I might panic! Well, that's what happened to Paisiello. The Grand Duke Alexander needed a new opera for his wedding anniversary and pure Paisiello had to come up with the goods. Paisiello found a libretto, liked the story but needed it reworked. So not only did he manage to get the libretto rewritten but he also composed some great music. This Overture is just good old play! I hope you enjoy.

SKU: A0.861939

Harmony (string parts – violin and string orchestra) MO168C-G

String Parts (score and parts available)

Music by Mark O’Connor

39 pages - 12:00 minutes in length

Harmony Musicians For Harmony, an organization founded in response to the tragic events of 9/11, asked me to compose a chamber orchestra piece for their September 11, 2006 concert in New York City . I have composed Harmony for this remembrance concert. What I wished to do in composing this music was to reveal a more Middle Eastern tonality to my style which is derived from American folk fiddle music. As I become more and more familiar with American music in my own musical journey, I also learn that the music I like so much has many layers. It exposes mystery in its origins when one cares to peel back these layers. It is likely these Middle Eastern cultures play more of a role in American fiddling (and American music in general) than previously thought.

In Harmony I use descriptive phrases printed in the score to indicate the temperament and journey of the music. Reaching Out begins the piece with its inviting and inquisitive drones. Throughout the piece there are several interpretations of the material with canonic and fugal writing. The music of Harmony is based on the same material constructed in a slow tempo in the beginning, a moderate tempo in the middle of the piece, and a fast fiddling tempo near the end. With hope in heart and music, I contribute Harmony on this painful day of remembrance.

Original music printed from the composer’s manuscripts.

Music editing, copying and engraving by Mark O’Connor

using Finale on Apple Macintosh 2006

Composed by Mark O’Connor

Commissioned by Musicians For Harmony

For the 5th Anniversary Concert for Peace 2006

Merkin Hall, New York, NY – September 11th, 2006

Catalogue Number MO168C-G

Copyright © 2006 by Mark O’Connor Music International

For more information on violinist and composer Mark O'Connor, O’Connor String Camps, Touring Ensembles, Discography, Bio, Repertoire and more, please visit

www.markoconnor.com

For information on the O’Connor Method – instructional book series for violin, viola, cello and school string orchestra programs:

www.oconnormethod.com