SKU: A0.933384

The violinist, conductor and composer Béla Kéler, by his birth name Albert Paul von Kéler, was born at 13th of February 1820 in the house No. 41 at town hall square of the city of Bartfeld (today´s Slovakian name: Bardejov). After his studies of music in LevoÄ�a, Debrecen and PreÅ¡ov, he obtained the position of first violinist at the „Theater an der Wien in Vienna. The same time he studied harmony, counterpoint and started to compose. Since 1854 he received the position as conductor of the orchestra of Johann Sommer in Berlin, he already used the name Béla Kéler. Later he became leader of the military band under count Mazzuchelli. The last twenty years of his life he spent as leader of the spa-orchestra in Wiesbaden and was devoted on composing. He performed in all European cultural centres, as London, Manchester, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Paris, Munich, Dresden, Leipzig etc. Still he often and gladly returned to his home city Bartfeld. Kéler has written 27 big waltzes, 27 marches, 20 csárdás, 18 polkas, 15 songs, 13 galops, 12 overtures, a ballet and several „musical paintings, such as the idyllic Carpathians, his first important composition which praises the Slovakian nature. The most frequently played theme of Kéler´s work are the 32 bars from his csárdás Memory of Bartfeld, op. 31, which were used by Johannes Brahms for his Hungarian dance No. 5 in the original notation of the author. Kéler´s music, in the time of its creation, could hold his own with the Vienna masters Joseph Lanner and „king of waltzes Johann Strauss jun. Already in his lifetime his 138 compositions were edited in 12 European countries. His manuscripts now belong in parts to the collection of the Å ariÅ¡ museum at Bardejov. In the year 2014 the Béla-Kéler-society was founded in Bardejov. The purpose of the society is the presentation of the inheritance of Béla Kéler. More in: www.belakeler.eu

SKU: A0.1194506

An easy piano arrangement of Chopin's 'Minute Waltz.' The key has been transposed to simplify, and left hand voices reduced whilst still retaining the melody. About the arranger: I have been playing and teaching piano for over 20 years, and hold a degree in music from Oxford University. I'm on a mission to make piano accessible to everyone who wants to enjoy the beauty of playing.

SKU: A0.813340

String Sextet - Intermediate - Digital Download. This selection, Carol of the Bells, also known as Ring, Christmas Bells, is suitable for high school and college students and is perfect for Christmas concerts and church services. Carol of the Bells was written by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914 with lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky. The song is based on the Ukrainian folk chant Shchedryk, a New Year's song, known in English as The Little Swallow, and utilizes a four-note ostinato which brings to mind the ringing of bells. Originally intended to be sung a capella by a mixed four-part choir it has since been recorded into over 150 versions and re-arrangements for various vocal and instrumental compositions. One version, Ring, Christmas Bells, an English-language variant with Nativity-based lyrics, was written by Minna Louise Hohman in 1947. Regis Bookshar has now arranged the music for a String Sextet, consisting of 3 Violins, 1 Viola, 1 Violoncello and 1 Double Bass. Included are a score and a complete set of parts (16 pages). In addition to this version for a String Sextet, many other arrangements of this selection are also available for a variety of instrumental ensembles, including Quintets, Sextets, Septets and Octets, as well as numerous other selections in a wide variety of styles. I would encourage you to search for other arrangements by Regis Bookshar. You may find something else which might interest you as well. I'm certain that this exciting arrangement will entertain both performers and audiences alike for years to come.

SKU: A0.1074188

I originaly wrote this march for Brass Band. It's called 'Setting the Watch' and is inspierd by the Ripon Hornblower with the tradition going back over a thousand years to Saxon times when Viking raids were common occurrences and people lived in fear of their property, livestock and even lives being lost in night-time attacks. In 886, the English King was Alfred the Great and he made it his mission to visit his people bringing a message of safety and stability. In Ripon he granted the people a Royal Charter and gave them a symbolic horn as a gift, advising them that they should be always alert to the dangers of invaders. The people of Ripon decided to employ a night watchman that they called a “wakemen� to patrol from dusk until dawn ready to sound the horn gifted by the King should he spot any trouble approaching. For further reassurance, the wakeman sounded the horn at each of the four corners of the market place at 9pm every night to let the people know that he was on duty and they could sleep easily. This sounding of the horn at 9pm became known as setting the watch.