SKU: A0.732088

A skillfully devised version of this well-loved carol! The catchy, rhythmic accompaniment adds energy and vigor to this appealing, inventive arrangement. Appropriate harmonies support the superb melody and it is fairly easy to play- but very effective. An enjoyable Christmas item, it is especially suitable for students. Highly recommended.

SKU: A0.679001

Very easy arrangement, but not only for pupil and beginners.

SKU: A0.890702

Changes for twenty nifty fingers (1995) duet 3 minutes

This is the ‘simplest’ piece of the collection, and the oldest.  I wrote it during my undergraduate years at Bristol University in response to a task set by my then composition tutor Wyndham Thomas.  The given title Changes refers to the inspiration of the peeling of church bells – ringing the changes - where there is a simple ostinato pattern that undergoes a gradual metamorphosis.  This piece starts with the skeleton of this short repeated phrase (in 14/8) which gradually fills out, and then moves through two enormously tricky sections of phasing - in which the two pianists have overlapping bars of different lengths (14 and 15 quavers).  The duet finally builds to a dramatic climax in the third minute.

So, this is a short minimalist piece, ultimately with its technical roots in American minimalism, although the material was more immediately inspired by the piano style of my older brothers, in particular my eldest brother Antony’s piano solo piece Dance of the Redeemed Creation - the style of which can be traced in many of my piano compositions. 

 Changes has been widely performed by the Kiev Piano Duo (Dmytro Tavanets and Oleksandra Zaytseva), and a recording (performed by Steven Kings and John Pitts) is available on CD 7 Airs & Fantasias and other piano music from www.johnpitts.co.uk - or as a download from Hyperion/1equalmusic:

www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_1EMIPM08

SKU: A0.799741

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Scheherazade - I. The Sea and Sinbad’s Ship

Pick-A-Part Arrangement 

for String Orchestra by

Dr. Grant Gilman

String Orchestra Parts in This 

Pick-A-Part Arrangement

Violin 1A

Violin 1B

Violin 1C

Violin 2A

Violin 2B

Violin 2C

Viola A

Viola B

Viola C

Cello A

Cello B

Cello C

Bass A

Bass B

Bass C

Harp/Keyboard (optional)

About Pick-A-Part Arrangement

This arrangement system employs simultaneous, multi-level difficulty parts for each string section. The goal is to accommodate all levels of playing in the preparation and performance of a symphonic masterwork.

In this arrangement, there are 3 difficulty levels for each individual string section, labeled A, B, and C, respectively. Each level is a decreasing level of technical and musical difficulty, level A being the highest level of difficulty. The A level is close to, if not exactly the same as, the original string part, plus the integration of wind parts when applicable. B and C follow in a proportional reduction of difficulty level. 

For this solution to be most effective, some students should be encouraged to play the most challenging parts simultaneously with those playing the simpler parts. This presents the opportunity to participate in a performance that includes most of the original material. The B and C parts cover enough of the surface material while maintaining a modicum of independence from the A part. In other words, the B and C parts are able to hold their own in performance without the A parts.

For example, let’s say you have a couple of talented violinists and a few more that are well below their playing level, only two violists that need a great deal of help, a plethora of cellists with a wide range of abilities, and one single bass player that is a beginner. Your distribution of parts may look something like this:

• Violin 1 - two on Violin 1A, one on Violin 1C, and the rest on Violin 1B
• Violin 2 - one on Violin 2B, the rest on Violin 2C
• Viola - both on Viola C
• Cello - three on Cello A, one on Cello B, and the rest on Cello C
• Bass - one on Bass C

This potential setup will challenge each player at their current level of development while creating the context for a moving experience with a major orchestral work. 

A Note about the Score and Printing

The full score is designed to be printed in portrait orientation on 17x11 tabloid size paper. Even at this size, the score can be confusing to read, especially if you are not covering every difficulty level part. If you would like a custom score showing only the parts you are using, please email me: conductor@grantgilman.com. I will be happy to work with you!

www.grantgilman.com

www.americanmusepodcast.com 

SKU: A0.941229

For 2 Pianos and a cello. Beginners level.

One of my pupils' favorite songs and I just had to arrange for him and his friends to play. .