Orchestra - Digital Download

SKU: S9.Q6453

In memoriam Robert Schumann. Composed by Aribert Reimann. This edition: study score. Music Of Our Time. Downloadable, Study score. Duration 14 minutes. Schott Music - Digital #Q6453. Published by Schott Music - Digital (S9.Q6453).

This most frequently played orchestral work by Aribert Reimann quotes from and makes use of Robert Schumann's last finished composition, the so-called 'Geistervariationen' [Ghost Variations] in E flat major for piano from 1854, composed shortly before Schumann's suicide attempt. Reflecting on Schumann's subsequent life in Endenich, Reimann leaves the lyrical character of the original unchanged. But the breaking up of the theme into the third, fifth and seventh fragments symbolizes the transition from dreamy imagination to sickly brooding.

Full Orchestra - Level 5 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1277133

Composed by Adrian Gagiu. 21st Century,Christian,Classical,Latin. 128 pages. Adrian Gagiu #868819. Published by Adrian Gagiu (A0.1277133).

Missa Solemnis in B major, op. 27 (conductor's score).
Based on its Neo-classical style, this setting of the Roman Catholic mass text could possibly work as a festive mass (missa solemnis) with trumpets and timpani, and its duration would fit such a solemn service. However, its intense and sometimes dramatic treatment and universal addressability due to its well-known and rather concentrated text, yet also due to eliminating the „Filioque� (which would still fit the rhythm of the repeated „qui ex Patre�, should any Catholics ever wish to perform this as a mass) make it rather a „liturgical oratorio for all nations�, more appropriate in the concert hall. 

The work has had a long gestation: imagined in 1984 after the composer’s first contact with Beethoven’s masterpiece, then sketched first in 1987-1989, and many of its themes date back from those years. Its working out is quite polyphonic, discretely modal and cyclical, and also full of centuries-old musical symbols traditionally associated with the setting of the mass text: e.g. unisons for the more dogmatical parts, Baroque dotted rhythms at the Nativity (the first coming of the  King of Kings), „rex caelestis� and also at his Passion (whose setting is discretely inspired by folkloric Romanian laments), the „anabasis� gesture at „Gloria in excelsis Deo�, „et ascendit in caelis�, „in remissionem peccatorum� and the resurrection, a flute trill standing for the Holy Spirit who has come ’like a dove’ at „et incarnatus est�, a cross-shaped texture at „crucifixus�, and some word-painting (hushed sonorities at „et invisibilium�, anticipations between orchestra and chorus at „et exspecto� etc.). Moreover, certain symbolic roles are assigned to the instrumental groups when alone (the organ represents God the Father and transcendence, the winds and/or solo voices represent God the Son and humanity, and the strings represent the Holy Spirit). 

„Kyrie� is restrained and soft, besides the powerful chords opening the respective sections of its tripartite, simple structure, and it leans towards Palestrina’s serene modality and counterpoint. „Gloria� begins with a colorful orchestral introduction depicting discretely the shepherds who kept watch over their flocks right before the Nativity, and then gradually the bright revelation. „Credo� has an orchestral introduction as well, but powerful, recurring and based on the beginning of the plainchant hymn „Pange lingua�, made famous by Mozart’s last symphony and by other Classical composers. Both „Gloria� and „Credo� end with extended, powerful and elaborate fugues („in gloria Dei Patris� and „et vitam venturi saeculi�, respectively) with dramatic modulations and sometimes with enthusiastic syncopations at odds with the words’ accents, a la Stravinsky. The same sections plus „Agnus Dei� end with soft quartal harmonies suggesting transcendent appeasement (similar harmonies appear powerfully at the beginning of „Sanctus�). „Judicare� quotes the beginning of the well-known „Dies irae� plainchant tune, and the Consecration between the „Sanctus� and „Benedictus� sections is represented by a contemplative prelude for solo organ, quoting Lutheran chorales, too. Another long orchestral introduction, suggesting the Last Judgment and based on traditional Byzantine hymns, opens „Agnus Dei�, which includes another quotation (the famous ’Dresden Amen’ at „qui tollis peccata mundi� and „dona nobis pacem�). In the final section, with its refined simplicity, the choral voices enter in descending order, and the „Kyrie eleison� theme is briefly remembered, then it ends softly and peacefully. 

Total duration: 50 min. Performing Rights Organization: SOCAN. The mp3 audio clip is Kyrie.

Full Orchestra - Level 5 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1018924

Composed by Benjamin Harry Sajo. 20th Century,Contemporary. Score and parts. 76 pages. Benjamin Sajo #6072951. Published by Benjamin Sajo (A0.1018924).

Fugue: Wear Pearls and Smile is, on the outset, a fast, rambunctious adventure for many voices playing at the same time. It was conceived as a pairing for the equally vivacious second symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven–his 250th birthday is this year–but can stand on its own as one of my hardest, most challenging works to cook up.

This piece is dedicated to those forced to appear positive when internally they’re falling apart. The title is inspired by a quote that’s been with me for a while, Why is it that men can be bastards and women must wear pearls and smile? by Lynn Hecht Schafren, the celebrated American jurist famous for campaigning for gender equity in courts. I’m taking the quote out of its initial context, but the power of that quote, for me, exemplifies how hard it is to maintain a sense of emotional decorum and dignity when you’re authentically a hot mess. And what’s more of a musical hot mess than a fugue?

There are two realities to this piece. I’ll quote Dmitri Shostakovich, from his autobiography: The rejoicing is forced, created under threat, […] It’s as if someone were beating you with a stick and saying, ‘Your business is rejoicing, your business is rejoicing,’ and you rise, shaky, and go marching off, muttering ‘Our business is rejoicing, our business is rejoicing.’ On the one hand, it is insincere happiness, cloying perhaps. But the other truth, I’ll quote Oscar Hammerstein II, from The King and I: While shivering in my shoes / I strike a careless pose / And whistle a happy tune / And no one ever knows, / I'm afraid. I forced myself, against all impulses of my current being, to forge happiness. This piece, with its origin being a mental puzzle (fugues are puzzles), it became a construct where I could lift myself up and regain a sense of purpose. Therefore, it is invented–out of a literal need to survive–pure, genuine happiness.

Future Performances: If you are interested in performing this work, please e-mail me.

ABOUT THE COMPOSER:

Benjamin Sajo (b. 1988) is a Canadian composer of contemporary classical music, as well as an educator. Since developing a fiercely independent creative voice upon the completion of his studies at Western (2010) and McGill Universities (2013), he continues to find inspiration from the intersection of mythology, art, and nature upon the contemporary human experience. In 2019, he released his premiere album of original music, The Great War Sextet: Canadian War Poetry with Trombone & Strings , with support from the Ontario Arts Council. He is a member of SOCAN and the League of Canadian Composers.

Full Orchestra - Level 5 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1018921

Composed by Benjamin Harry Sajo. 20th Century,Contemporary. Score and parts. 35 pages. Benjamin Sajo #6072943. Published by Benjamin Sajo (A0.1018921).

Fugue: Wear Pearls and Smile is, on the outset, a fast, rambunctious adventure for many voices playing at the same time. It was conceived as a pairing for the equally vivacious second symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven–his 250th birthday is this year–but can stand on its own as one of my hardest, most challenging works to cook up.

This piece is dedicated to those forced to appear positive when internally they’re falling apart. The title is inspired by a quote that’s been with me for a while, Why is it that men can be bastards and women must wear pearls and smile? by Lynn Hecht Schafren, the celebrated American jurist famous for campaigning for gender equity in courts. I’m taking the quote out of its initial context, but the power of that quote, for me, exemplifies how hard it is to maintain a sense of emotional decorum and dignity when you’re authentically a hot mess. And what’s more of a musical hot mess than a fugue?

There are two realities to this piece. I’ll quote Dmitri Shostakovich, from his autobiography: The rejoicing is forced, created under threat, […] It’s as if someone were beating you with a stick and saying, ‘Your business is rejoicing, your business is rejoicing,’ and you rise, shaky, and go marching off, muttering ‘Our business is rejoicing, our business is rejoicing.’ On the one hand, it is insincere happiness, cloying perhaps. But the other truth, I’ll quote Oscar Hammerstein II, from The King and I: While shivering in my shoes / I strike a careless pose / And whistle a happy tune / And no one ever knows, / I'm afraid. I forced myself, against all impulses of my current being, to forge happiness. This piece, with its origin being a mental puzzle (fugues are puzzles), it became a construct where I could lift myself up and regain a sense of purpose. Therefore, it is invented–out of a literal need to survive–pure, genuine happiness.

Future Performances: If you are interested in performing this work, please e-mail me.

ABOUT THE COMPOSER:

Benjamin Sajo (b. 1988) is a Canadian composer of contemporary classical music, as well as an educator. Since developing a fiercely independent creative voice upon the completion of his studies at Western (2010) and McGill Universities (2013), he continues to find inspiration from the intersection of mythology, art, and nature upon the contemporary human experience. In 2019, he released his premiere album of original music, The Great War Sextet: Canadian War Poetry with Trombone & Strings , with support from the Ontario Arts Council. He is a member of SOCAN and the League of Canadian Composers.

Full Orchestra - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1336407

By Amelita Galli-Curci, Billy Vaughn, Bing Crosby, Chris Walden, Dick Curless, Janey Kirk, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jo Stafford, John McCormack, Maud Powell, Papa Bue's Viking Jazz Band, Red Nichols, Richard Jose, Sammy Rimington, Sidney Bechet, Slim Whitman, and etc. By Eben Eugene Rexford and Hart Pease Danks. Arranged by Javier Soria Laso. 19th Century,Classical,Standards. 18 pages. Javier Soria Laso #922205. Published by Javier Soria Laso (A0.1336407).

The well-known 19th Century ballad written by Hank Pease Danks & Eben Eugene Rexford is still popular among the public, and as a testament of its popularity, it gets a majestic yet peaceful orchestral arrangement in this occasion even with a modern harmonization that yet still supports the tune. 

This arrangement features nice spots for flute, bassoon, English horn & clarinet as well as the French horn & string sections. The bass clarinet is also included in a duet with the bassoon [although in the original recording one of the French horns was in place of the bass clarinet]. 

This arrangement can be useful for opening or closing your concert as well as an interlude in a pacific way! 

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