SKU: A0.549681

Duration: ca. 1:42, 52 measures, Score: 7 pages, solo part: 2 pages, piano part: 4 pages. A popular Christmas favorite from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky is probably the most popular of the great composers in America. His music certainly appeals to musicians. Likewise, it appeals even to folks who don’t normally listen to serious music. This is probably because of his most noteworthy melodies. Above all, he writes with great emotion. This certainly makes a most noteworthy if not an unforgettable impact.

Education

First of all, He attended classes at the Russian Musical Society. Even more, He also attended the St. Petersburg Conservatory. There he studied music theory with Nikolai Zaremba. He also consequently studied composition with Anton Rubenstein. It seems like Rubenstein came under criticism from a group of Russian composers known as the Five.

The Five

The Five certainly rejected Western musical influences. They rather sought to use elements from Russian music. They furthermore wanted to use more exotic musical materials.

Western Techniques

More than other Russian composers, Tchaikovsky studied modern Western music. He certainly develops his music like the European masters. So, rather than repeating a motive, he moves to a new key. He then introduces a different theme in the new key. Hence, he maintained his independence from the Five. Even more, he became the first Russian composer of international stature.

Influences

Tchaikovsky was probably influenced in his ballet scoring by Léo Delibes. Richard Wagner influenced his symphonic writing. Tchaikovsky’s most famous works include the 1812 Overture, The Nutcracker Suite, and Swan Lake. Also famous are the Violin Concerto in D and the six symphonies. The greatest of the six symphonies may be No. 6, the Pathétique.

Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a

The Nutcracker Suite is a ballet that was performed for the first time in December 1892 in St. Petersburg. To begin with, the original ballet failed to attract a positive reception. However, the ballet suite became probably one of the most popular of all of Tchaikovsky’s works. The ballet suite became even more famous in the 1960s. It is now performed all over the world, particularly during the Christmas season.

SKU: A0.886683

Two Rivers (from Lethe to Mnemosyne) for mezzo soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano (2008)
I. Lethe, the Water of Oblivion
a. The Guardians
b. Night Procession and Lament
II. Mnemosyne, the Water of Remembrance
a. Invocation
b. Incantation
The work is written between September and December 2008 for mezzo soprano Angelica Cathariou and the Greek Ensemble of Contemporary Music under Valery Oreshkin. It is based on an excerpt of an ancient greek funerary inscription of 4th century B.C. found at the Trofonius Oracle in Petilia, South Italy.
Γης παις ειμί και ου�ανο�, αστε�όεντος. Αυτά� εμοί γένος ου�άνιον, τόδε ίστε και αυτοί. Δίψηι δ’ειμί α�η και απόλλυμαι, αλλά δότ’ αίψα ψυχ�όν �δω� π�ο��έον της Μνημοσ�νης από λίμνης.
(I am a child of earth and starry sky. My origin is celestial, and you know it very well. I am burning thurst and I loose myself. But give me soon cool water, springs from Lake Mnemosyne.)
The text, which is being set at the 2nd part of the work, is an invocation of the soul descending to Hades to the guardians of lake Mnemosyne, to allow keeping its memory alive to the next life. Privilege, under tradition, of the initiate souls, counter to that of lake Lethe which led them to eternal oblivion.
The two parts of the composition are the equivalent to the watery - metaphysical element of the two lakes - rivers running across Hades. The work is dedicated to the memory of composer's father Ioannis Theodossiou (1917 - 2008) and has been performed by Angelica Kathariou and the Greek Ensemble of Contemporary Music under Valery Oreshkin at Ph. Nakas Concert Hall, Athens, in 2009.

SKU: A0.1205347

Flash’s Theme – Queen, comp. Brian May – Concert Band - score & parts
Concert Band – Medium Advanced
Performed by Queen, composed by Brian May. Arranged by Mario Haltinner. Score, Set of Parts. 52 pages. Published by mh music.
Queens epic Flash’s Theme, arranged for Concert Band. The arrangement is in the original key, lead Trumpet range is b’’. Sounds best with Rhythm Section (Bass, Piano, Electric Guitar) & Choir, but is also playable as “pure� Concert Band
The arrangement is very close to the original recording, perfect to „Rock the House“. Includes score and all parts.

SKU: A0.847860

A beautiful arrangement of Mary's Lullaby. Originally for solo voice, this gem may now be performed by three equal voices. As a lullaby, it is appropriate both during the Christmas season and throughout the rest of the year.