SKU: A0.548663

Jingle Bells arranged for Bb clarinet & piano. Jingle Bells is perhaps the most famous songs in American music history. James L. Pierpont published the song as One Horse Open Sleigh in the late 1850’s. Since its introduction, people began to insist that Pierpont wrote it for a Sunday school choir. However, it seems unlikely that such a secular song would be considered appropriate during that historical period for Sunday school.

Christmas Repertoire

Pierpont wrote the song for the Thanksgiving holidays, but over time people began to think of it more as a Christmas song. Some choirs adopted it as part of their Christmas repertoire in the 1860s and 1870s. Jingle Bells was first recorded in 1889 on a wax cylinder.

Origins

No one knows where Pierpont composed the song. One theory suggests he wrote it in Medford Massachusetts in 1850. Sleigh races were certainly popular in 19th Century Massachusetts. To this day, a commemorative placard appears in Medford square claiming that it is the birthplace of Jingle Bells. Others suggest that he wrote it in Savannah, Georgia where he was an organist and music director at the Unitarian Church. This theory gains support from the copyright date of 1857. We know he was living in Savannah by then.

Traffic Signals

Horse-drawn sleighs are relatively quiet in the snow. Consequently, horses were usually equipped with bell-laden straps so as to avoid accidents at blind intersections. Sleigh drivers in 19th Century New England were constantly vigilant, listening for the sounds of approaching horse-drawn sleighs. The tune imitates the rhythm that the trotting horse bells produce.

Social Context

Jingle Bells was sung as a drinking song at local revelries: during the song folks would rhythmically jangle the ice in their glasses. A sleigh ride gave couples an opportunity to be alone together. The term Jingle bells is a poetic descriptive adjective referring specifically to the more accurate term sleigh bells. In many arrangements, sleigh bells are used to accentuate the rhythm during the song chorus. 

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SKU: F2.FM633

ISBN 9790570485321.

The Sonata for Clarinet in B flat and Piano comes from a relatively unsettled period. Much of the music is a reflection on the cyclic nature of negative thought, the recurring arpeggios at the opening give some indication of this. Breaking out of these patterns only seems to lead to further dissonance and uncertainty. It also explores the effect of lowering notes by a single semitone and how the smallest of intervals can have a significant impact on the harmony at any given moment. The work is in four movements: 1. Andante moderato. This movement features two main musical statements pivoting around a central dance like idea. 2. Largo. A movement exploring a sense of isolation and disconnect between the Clarinet and Piano. 3. Largo con moto. A moment of calm, featuring some of the melodic contours from the previous movement but treated as if heard with a different frame of mind. 4. Allegro con moto. A slightly mischievous finale, featuring moments where the instruments imitate each other in an almost mocking fashion.

SKU: A0.549420

Score: 7 pages, solo part: 2 pages, piano part: 3 pages. Duration: 4:25 Not difficult, but requires sensitivity & dynamic control. Suitable for recitals, church meditations, or school programs.

Dvořák Background

Antonín Dvořák (1841 –1904) was, of course, a composer from Czechoslovakia. As a matter of fact, he was among the first Bohemian composers to attain universal recognition. It is important to realize that the late Romantic Nationalist period featured composers who used traditional and folk elements to portray the character of their nation. In particular, we see this in the music of Grieg (Norway), Finland (Sibelius), and Smetana (Bohemia).  Dvořák relied markedly on rhythms and other characteristics of Moravian and Bohemian folk music.

Ascent to Fame

Dvořák was truly a child musical prodigy on the violin. The premiere performances of his compositions notably occurred in 1872 and 1873. He submitted his First Symphony in particular to a German competition, but it failed to win. Consequently, in 1874 he presented two more symphonies to the Austrian State Prize for Composition. Johannes Brahms was the principal of the jury and was accordingly very impressed. They forthwith awarded the prize to Dvořák in 1874, 1876, and 1877. At this point, Brahms thereupon endorsed Dvořák to the publisher Simrock. Later, the publisher commissioned Dvořák to compose the Slavonic Dances, Op. 46. These became popular overnight and, as a result, Dvořák's worldwide status was launched.

International Status

Dvořák visited England upon invitation nine times. On each visit, he frequently conducted performances of his own compositions. He conducted concerts of his music, especially in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Eventually, the Prague Conservatory in fact appointed Dvořák as a professor. There, to be sure, he wrote his famous Dumky Trio.

United States

Consequently, the National Conservatory of Music of America appointed him as director in 1892. As a result, Dvořák composed his two most famous symphonic works: the Symphony No. 9 (From the New World), which spread his name universally, and his Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, one of the most famous of all cello works. Moreover, he wrote his most celebrated American String Quartet during this time. At the same time, because of his growing recognition in Europe and his homesickness for his own country, he left to return to Bohemia in 1895.

 

SKU: A0.1476293

Composed in 1890, Rêverie is one of Debussy's earlier works, showcasing his evolving style and paving the way for his later, more mature compositions. The title Rêverie refers to a dreamlike state, and the piece is known for its calm, peaceful, and atmospheric qualities, making it a perfect entry point into Debussy's style. Rêverie is often considered a symbol of the Impressionism musical movement, featuring subtle, dreamy emotions that capture the essence of this artistic style.

The vibrant and dreamy nature of Rêverie has made it a popular choice for various multimedia, including films, commercials, and piano recitals, solidifying its iconic status as a piece of the piano repertoire. The music of Rêverie overwhelms and transports the listener to a dreamlike state, creating a personal and romantic experience open to individual interpretation. Debussy's ability to create a dreamlike atmosphere through the music, with a gently repetitive theme that evolves into richer textures, showcases his mastery in crafting captivating musical landscapes.