Recorder - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.966360 Composed by Greg Shapley. 20th Century,Contemporary. Recorder Ensemble. 29 pages. Greg Shapley #2162865. Published by Greg Shapley (A0.966360). Pre-heard for recorder consort is a post-minimalist work that is challenging but not unemployable to play and listen too.This was the last work I composed by hand (written in 1997), not using a scoring program as I've done since. Thus, it does sound different. The sections in it are more disconnected and I think you can hear the almost graphic-based experiments I am conducting as I'm writing it (these are not bad things - there is a real clarity to this work). I couldn't resist making some changes to it as I was digitizing it. I've ironed out some of the crazier rhythms (that looked good on paper but were meaningless in performance) and added a repeat to make the piece more coherent.It is about 5 minutes in duration (score and parts included).

Piano Solo - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.960651 Composed by Steven M. Kudlo. Contemporary,Standards. Score. 5 pages. Steven Mark Kudlo #25561. Published by Steven Mark Kudlo (A0.960651). A sequel! A sequel! This Maryanne Sonata is a sonatina known for it's easy tonality and contemporary rhythm. In three movements, it's easy for intermediate players, but retains interest for intermediate-advanced. A good time is to be had by all.

Brass Quintet Horn,Trombone,Trumpet,Tuba - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1460701 By Bobby McFerrin. By Bobby McFerrin. Arranged by Will Corbin. Comedy,Pop,Reggae. 20 pages. Will Corbin #1039606. Published by Will Corbin (A0.1460701). Bobby McFerrin's goofy little song, released in 1988, won the 1989 Grammy for Song of the Year. It was the first a capella song ever to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has also been listed by Rolling Stone as one of the all-time great whistling songs. This version relies on the trumpets for whistling and trombone and horn for the lyric lines. It's also MUCH shorter than the original, since it's endlessly repetitive and quicly grows old without accompanying comedic effects.This one is also a pretty good set or gig closer.If you need alternative instrumentation, I'm happy to help. Contact me at wilcor@aol.com.

Piano,Tenor Saxophone - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.548504 Composed by Traditional. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Christian,Christmas. Score and part. 4 pages. Jmsgu3 #3387401. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.548504). The First Noel arranged for Tenor Sax & Piano with new harmony for the final verse.Origins The First Noel is an English Christmas carol. Even more, it was probably written in the late Cornish Renaissance period. While other versions spell the title as Nowell, this is just a colloquial variation. Furthermore, Noel is an older word meaning Christmas. Therefore the First Noel translates as the First Christmas. First of all, Gilbert and Sandy published the earliest version. As a result, this version appears in the Carols Ancient and Modern songbook of 1823. William Sandy edited and arranged the book. Similarly, his partner Davies Gilbert edited and added the familiar extra verses. The First Noel: Alto Sax Version comes with new harmony in final verse for more energy and drive. Stainer Organist and composer Sir John Stainer published the most noteworthy customary arrangement in the 1870’s.  Stainer is above all famous for his songbook entitled: Christmas Carols New and Old (1871). This volume served as an important catalyst for reviving the English Christmas carol.  Other famous Stainer arrangements from this book are such titles as What Child Is This, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, and I Saw Three Ships. Diatonic Function The melodic structure in the First Noel is uncommon among English folk tunes. It simply repeats one phrase twice then follows a variation refrain. All three phrases of the song end on the mediant scale degree. This is unusual because the diatonic function of the mediant is non-final compared to the more usual tonic or even dominant degrees. Consequently, this gives the song as kind of open-ended feeling – like maybe it never really ends. Political Context The Catholic clergy sang carols outside of the church in Latin. After the Protestant Reformation, the reformers thought it would be better for everyone to sing carols. They decided to bring music back to the common folk. So, they translated the lyrics from Latin into common language. Moreover, the Protestants wanted more control over the music in church than what the Vatican allowed. Protestant composers such as William Byrd composed complex polyphonic Christmas music that they called carols. Nonetheless, some famous folk carols were composed in this era. Eminent composers in the nineteenth century began to revise and adapt them. Consequently, they revived the English carol.  Register for free lifetime updates and revisions at www.jamesguthrie.com  

Harp - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.981070 Composed by Markia Powell. Classical,Instructional,Romantic Period,Standards,World. Score. 4 pages. Markia Powell #4293667. Published by Markia Powell (A0.981070). Cherry Blossom is a wonderful piece. I recommend it for an intermediate harpist or as a good warm-up exercise for the more advanced harpist. It is four pages long, so it is well worth it. Give it a go! I'm sure you'll like it.

Brass Quintet Horn,Trombone,Trumpet,Tuba - Digital Download SKU: A0.1461310 By Eddie Floyd. By Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper. Arranged by Will Corbin. Pop,R & B. 20 pages. Will Corbin #1040118. Published by Will Corbin (A0.1461310). Eddie Floyd first recorded Knock On Wood in 1966, He wrote the song while staying at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. Two years later the Lorraine was the site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; now it's part of the National Civil Rights Museum. The song has been covered by David Bowie, Eric Clapton and Michael Bolton, among many others. The most successful was an upbeat disco version by Ami Stewart that kind of sucked the soul right out of a very good song.If you need alternative instrumentation, I'm happy to help. Contact me at wilcor@aol.com.

Bass Flute,Instrumental Solo,Piano - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.549644 Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Concert,Instructional,Romantic Period,Sacred,Standards. Score and individual part. 16 pages. Jmsgu3 #3516861. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.549644). Duration: ca 5:20, Score: 8 pages, solo part: 3 pages, piano part: 4 pages. One of Beethoven's finest and most famous works. Program for a recital, church meditation or school program. Bring your best espressivo and plan to rehearse the many subtle dynamic changes. Sonata Pathétique Op. 13 First of all, this is an arrangement of the second movement of Beethoven’s Sonata Pathétique. It seems like Beethoven wrote this piece before becoming troubled by deafness. Published in 1799, it consequently remains one of the most celebrated pieces Beethoven ever wrote. As a result of its popularity, the movement was therefore performed by Karl Haas. Hass recorded it for a popular radio show called: Adventures in Good Music. Beethoven Background Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 –1827) was certainly a German pianist. Above all, he was probably one of the greatest composers in history. As a result, he is a pivotal character in the progress between the Classical and Romantic periods. He is certainly one of the most famous and hence important of all composers. Seems like his most familiar and noteworthy works include symphonies 1-9; piano concertos 1-5; and furthermore, the violin concerto. Also, certainly of extreme importance are the noteworthy 32 sonatas for the piano; the string quartets 1-16; the Missa solemnis; and likewise, his only opera, Fidelio. Beethoven Overview First of all, Beethoven was born and consequently raised in Bonn. Upon turning 21 he moved to Vienna probably to study composition with Haydn. That’s when he consequently grew a reputation as a brilliant pianist. Furthermore, he probably stayed in Vienna for the rest of his life. In his late 20s, it seems like his hearing certainly began to decline. It slowly declined until consequently, he was nearly totally deaf probably by the last decade of his life. As a result, he stopped conducting and performing. Nevertheless, he continued to compose. As a result, some of his greatest works probably come from this period. First Period Seems like we often divide Beethoven’s life into three periods. Period 1 begins with Beethoven’s arrival in Vienna. Hence, during this period, he mastered the Viennese style of Haydn & Mozart. He consequently began increasing the size and scale of his works. Furthermore, he experimented with extreme dynamics, and likewise extreme tempi. He worked similarly with chromatic harmony. His First and Second Symphonies, therefore, belong to this period. Other important works also belong here: the first six string quartets and the Sonata Pathétique, Op. 13. Second Period His second period probably began as soon as he realized that he was going deaf. During this period, it seems like he became obsessed with the idea of heroism. His works consequently become even larger and more massive. The most noteworthy of these include the symphonies 3 – 8, piano concertos 5& 6, 5 string quartets, several important piano sonatas (Waldstein and Appassionata), the Kreutzer violin sonata, the violin concerto and his only opera: Fidelio. Third Period In contrast, Beethoven's third period is branded above all by works of incredible intellectual depth, formal innovation, and penetrating expression. It seems like he continued to expand his works. Consequently, the string quartet Op. 131 spills over into seven connected movements. Likewise, in the Ninth Symphony, he adds choral forces to his orchestra probably for the first time in history. Even more, other works from this period include his Missa solemnis, the final 5 string quartets (including the enormous Große Fuge) and the final five sonatas for piano.     www.jamesguthrie.com.

Guitar - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1510815 By 4 Non Blondes. By Linda Perry. Arranged by Brian Streckfus. Pop,Rock,Singer/Songwriter. Chords/Lyrics. 4 pages. Brian Streckfus #1086021. Published by Brian Streckfus (A0.1510815). Key: G MajorPages: 4Capo: 2 (Concert Key of A Major)If you are looking for 100% historical version, this may not be the arrangement for you. I tend to make coffee house versions that are meant for a soloist and not a band (could still be useful for either though). I'm not the greatest singer, so I like to play the vocal melody on guitar for a couple months, and then take it away when I feel like I am a good enough singer to just play the chords. I also make versions like these for solo guitarists who plan on never singing, but still want what the song is to be obvious to the audience, therefor, the sophisticated guitar work is neccessary.

String Trio Cello,Violin - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1094915 Composed by Ash Pournouri, Avicii, Etta James, Leroy Kirkland, and Pearl Woods. Arranged by Sarah Cellobat Chaffee. Contemporary,Pop,Wedding. 19 pages. Sarah Cellobat Chaffee #698984. Published by Sarah Cellobat Chaffee (A0.1094915). *INSTRUMENTATION: TWO VIOLINS & CELLO* Before its release in October of 2011, even Avicii had no idea how popular his song Levels would soon become! The Swedish DJ originally wrote the song because he fell in love with a vocal line from an Etta James song, and the good feeling he got from the lyrics proved to translate well to his audience. Now a universally recognized EDM classic, the song was certified platinum in the US, 2x platinum in the UK, and 8x platinum in Sweden -- so there's no question your audience will love this one! This Cellobat arrangement for your two-violin and cello trio is a joyous string adaptation of the original, featuring the catchy hooks, soaring melodic lines, bouncy beat, and layered harmonies that made the world fall in love with this song. Originally written for a wedding, this will also be perfect for receptions, cocktail parties, solo & ensemble contest, or any other occasion that you need to get your audience dancing! Rated advanced-intermediate for a handful of tricky rhythms and a few high notes in the violin parts; this will be learnable for students and sightreadable for professionals. Sarah “Cellobat� Chaffee is an in-demand acoustic & electric cellist and string arranger. Currently, she performs with legendary rock band Aerosmith in their “Deuces Are Wild� residency show, and she is the principal cellist for the Raiders House Band, playing for a crowd of 60,000 at all of the team's home games. She also plays with many other groups including Premiere Wedding Music, Bella Electric Strings, the Femmes Of Rock, and David Perrico’s Pop Strings Orchestra. Sarah has performed and recorded with numerous other artists including Disturbed, Mötley Crüe, Celine Dion, Halsey, Michael Bublé, Sarah Brightman, and Lady A. She is the exclusive arranger for a number of award-winning wedding and event companies all across the United States, including Premiere Wedding Music, Las Vegas Music Oasis, and Impulse Strings, and she has created custom arrangements for many other ensembles all over the world. You can find her at:http://www.cellobat.comhttp://www.instagram.com/cellobathttps://www.youtube.com/@Cellobat.

String Trio Cello,Violin - Level 5 - Digital Download SKU: A0.548684 By Ed Sheeran Feat. Justin Bieber. By Ed Sheeran, Fred Gibson, Jason Boyd, Justin Bieber, Max Martin, and Shellback. Arranged by Sarah Cellobat Chaffee. Contemporary,Pop,Wedding. 15 pages. Sarah Cellobat Chaffee #158104. Published by Sarah Cellobat Chaffee (A0.548684). *INSTRUMENTATION: 2 VIOLINS & CELLO*Ed Sheeran's hit single I Don't Care, a collaboration featuring fellow pop idol Justin Bieber, was released in May 2019 as the lead single from Sheeran's fourth album. Quickly rocketing to the top of the charts, the song hit number one in 26 countries and broke Spotify's single-day streaming record. This fun, feel-good song is impossible to get out of your head, and your audience will end up equally addicted to this arrangement for two-violin and cello trio! Featuring the hypnotic groove, lush harmonic layers, and lightning-fast vocal stylings of the original, this version is sure to get your audience singing along. Rated advanced mainly for a number of tricky interlocking rhythms throughout (and some high notes in the violin parts). I would definitely recommend practicing this first and not sightreading it on the gig! You can reference our recording of the string quartet version of this if you have questions about how things fit together -- search for Cellobat Charts on Youtube to find that recording and more! :) Sarah “Cellobat� Chaffee is an in-demand acoustic & electric cellist and string arranger. Currently, she performs with legendary rock band Aerosmith in their “Deuces Are Wild� residency show, and she is the principal cellist for the Raiders House Band, playing for a crowd of 60,000 at all of the team's home games. She also plays with many other groups including Premiere Wedding Music, Bella Electric Strings, the Femmes Of Rock, and David Perrico’s Pop Strings Orchestra. Sarah has performed and recorded with numerous other artists including Disturbed, Mötley Crüe, Celine Dion, Halsey, Michael Bublé, Sarah Brightman, and Lady A. She is the exclusive arranger for a number of award-winning wedding and event companies all across the United States, including Premiere Wedding Music, Las Vegas Music Oasis, and Impulse Strings, and she has created custom arrangements for many other ensembles all over the world. You can find her at:http://www.cellobat.comhttp://www.instagram.com/cellobathttps://www.youtube.com/@Cellobat.

Oboe,Piano - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.549386 Composed by George Frideric Handel. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Baroque,Sacred,Standards,Wedding. Score and part. 9 pages. Jmsgu3 #3492325. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.549386). Duration: 4:55, Score: 6 pages, Solo part: 1 page, piano part: 2 pages. A very famous aria (Ombra mai fu) from XerxesSuitable for any venue requiring meditative music. Excellent choice for a recital encore. Xerxes Xerxes is, in fact, an opera seria in three acts by Handel. Moreover, Handel conducted the premiere performance in London in 1738. Handel casts the opera in Persia in 470 BC. The part of Xerxes was indeed originally sung by a soprano castrato. Nowadays, the part is generally sung by a mezzo-soprano or conversely a counter-tenor. In the first place, Xerxes sings an opening aria, Ombra mai fu to a plane tree. Handel sets this aria to one of his most truly famous melodies. Although many refer to it traditionally as Handel’s Largo, Handel has, on the contrary, clearly marked Larghetto in the score. Handel Background George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759) was born in Germany but eventually became a British citizen. Nonetheless, he was a famous Baroque composer. In fact, he became famous for his operas, oratorios, anthems, and organ concertos. Handel studied music and, by and large, worked as a composer in Germany and Italy before moving to London. On the whole, Handel was very familiar with the contemporary music of Italy and Germany. Career in England It is essential to realize that Italian opera was all the rage in England at the time. Moreover, Handel was really good at writing them. Therefore, he started not one but three opera companies in England. Alexander's Feast was a huge success in 1736, but Handel began composing English choral works. After success with the Messiah in 1742) he certainly never again wrote an Italian opera. Consequently, he died in 1759, a treasured genius. Accordingly, the English government gave him full state honors at his funeral. Hence, he is buried in Westminster Abbey in London. Legacy Music historians agree that Handel was in general one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era.  To demonstrate, his works such as the Messiah, Water Music, and Music for the Royal Fireworks remain consistently popular up to the present time. He especially composed the coronation anthem, Zadok the Priest for the coronation of George II. Nevertheless, it has specifically been performed at every succeeding British coronation since. His oratorio Solomon has by all means also continued to be prevalent. As a matter of fact, Sinfonia from act 3 was featured in the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony. Handel was particularly prolific. To enumerate, he wrote over forty operas.  Since the late 1960s, we have expressly experienced a revival of baroque music. Similarly, we have especially seen a pique of interest in historically informed musical performances. Since his death in 1779, interest in Handel's music has all in all, expanded.  

Flute,Piano - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.549225 Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Baroque,Easter,Standards,Wedding. Score and part. 9 pages. Jmsgu3 #3468220. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.549225). J. S. Bach BWV 508. Bist du bei mir Bach adapted this aria from a lost Stölzel opera called Diomedes. He changed the original orchestral instrumentation to soprano, strings, and continuo.  He also modified the voice-leading making it sound more like a Bach composition. The work appears as BWV 508 No. 25 in the Anna Magdalena Notebook No. 2.   Source Only a few remnants of the original opera have survived. Historians speculate that Anna Magdalena got the song from the Leipzig Opera after the bankruptcy of 1720. Chances are good, though, that the tune was a favorite of everyone in Leipzig at the time.   Lyrics When thou art near, I go with joyTo death and to my rest.O how joyous would my end be,If your fair hands            Would close my faithful eyes. - Unknown Bach Overview First of all, Johann Sebastian Bach is maybe the greatest composer in music history. Certainly, he was prolific. As a result, everyone has heard of his works. Furthermore, these works number well over a thousand. It seems like people are probably most familiar with instrumental works such as the Brandenburg Concertos, and the Goldberg Variations. But, similarly famous are such noteworthy works as the Well-Tempered Clavier, the Musical Offering, and certainly the Art of Fugue. Seems like his most famous vocal works include the most noteworthy Mass in B Minor. Also, most noteworthy are the St. John Passion, and indeed the Christmas Oratorio.  History Bach came from a long line of musicians and above all, composers. Consequently, he, first of all, pursued a career as a church organist. So as a result, he gained employment in various Protestant churches in Germany. For a while, he worked as a court musician in Weimar and Köthen. Here he probably developed his organ style and likewise his chamber music style. Eventually, he, therefore, gained an appointment as Cantor of St. Thomas in Leipzig. Here he worked until difficulties with his employer ultimately drove him away. The King of Poland finally appointed him as court composer.  Style It seems like Bach created a fascinating new international style. He synthesized elements of the most noteworthy European music ideas into his new style. Even more, this new style was probably his synthesis of European musical rhythm and form. Furthermore, he demonstrated a complete mastery of counterpoint and motivic development. His sense of harmonic organization probably propelled him to the top. Revival                Mendelssohn conducted a Bach revival in the nineteenth century. His effort probably helped to re-familiarize the public with the magnitude of Bach’s works. During this period, scholars published many noteworthy Bach biographies. Moreover, Wolfgang Schmieder published the BWV (Bach Werke Verzeichnis). As a result, this is now the official catalog of his entire artistic output. The BWV number allows us to locate a work in the catalog. Sometimes scholars will simply use an S (Schmieder) as an abbreviation for BWV.  Voyager NASA launched two Voyager spacecraft in 1977. Onboard are phonograph records with sounds, music, and images of life on Earth. The purpose of the launch was to inform intelligent extraterrestrial life forms about conditions on Earth. The music on the disc is varied. There is Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Stravinsky among others. However, because Bach is so important in our music history, it contains three times more Bach than all the others combined.

Easy Piano - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.930120 Composed by J.S. Smith. Arranged by M. Williams. Folk,Holiday,Instructional,Patriotic,Standards. Score. 3 pages. Melissa Colleen Williams #6026503. Published by Melissa Colleen Williams (A0.930120). If you are ever called upon to play the piano for a school, church, or other community organization, The Volunteer Pianist series has been written for you.  I have drawn from my decades of experience as a pianist and teacher to deliver arrangements that are both practical and playable.  I have refined these settings over the years to deliver the biggest impact for a wide variety of audiences.If you live in the United States, this arrangement of The Star Spangled Banner is a good one to have at your fingertips.  Keep your tempo brisk and play proudly.

Piano,Tenor Saxophone - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.549385 Composed by George Frideric Handel. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Baroque,Sacred,Standards,Wedding. Score and part. 9 pages. Jmsgu3 #3492303. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.549385). Duration: 4:55, Score: 6 pages, Solo part: 1 page, piano part: 2 pages. A very famous aria (Ombra mai fu) from XerxesSuitable for any venue requiring meditative music. Excellent choice for a recital encore. Xerxes Xerxes is, in fact, an opera seria in three acts by Handel. Moreover, Handel conducted the premiere performance in London in 1738. Handel casts the opera in Persia in 470 BC. The part of Xerxes was indeed originally sung by a soprano castrato. Nowadays, the part is generally sung by a mezzo-soprano or conversely a counter-tenor. In the first place, Xerxes sings an opening aria, Ombra mai fu to a plane tree. Handel sets this aria to one of his most truly famous melodies. Although many refer to it traditionally as Handel’s Largo, Handel has, on the contrary, clearly marked Larghetto in the score. Handel Background George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759) was born in Germany but eventually became a British citizen. Nonetheless, he was a famous Baroque composer. In fact, he became famous for his operas, oratorios, anthems, and organ concertos. Handel studied music and, by and large, worked as a composer in Germany and Italy before moving to London. On the whole, Handel was very familiar with the contemporary music of Italy and Germany. Career in England It is essential to realize that Italian opera was all the rage in England at the time. Moreover, Handel was really good at writing them. Therefore, he started not one but three opera companies in England. Alexander's Feast was a huge success in 1736, but Handel began composing English choral works. After success with the Messiah in 1742) he certainly never again wrote an Italian opera. Consequently, he died in 1759, a treasured genius. Accordingly, the English government gave him full state honors at his funeral. Hence, he is buried in Westminster Abbey in London. Legacy Music historians agree that Handel was in general one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era.  To demonstrate, his works such as the Messiah, Water Music, and Music for the Royal Fireworks remain consistently popular up to the present time. He especially composed the coronation anthem, Zadok the Priest for the coronation of George II. Nevertheless, it has specifically been performed at every succeeding British coronation since. His oratorio Solomon has by all means also continued to be prevalent. As a matter of fact, Sinfonia from act 3 was featured in the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony. Handel was particularly prolific. To enumerate, he wrote over forty operas.  Since the late 1960s, we have expressly experienced a revival of baroque music. Similarly, we have especially seen a pique of interest in historically informed musical performances. Since his death in 1779, interest in Handel's music has all in all, expanded.  

Alto Saxophone,Piano - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.549235 Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Baroque,Easter,Standards,Wedding. Score and part. 9 pages. Jmsgu3 #3468804. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.549235). J. S. Bach BWV 508.  Bist du bei mir Bach adapted this aria from a lost Stölzel opera called Diomedes. He changed the original orchestral instrumentation to soprano, strings, and continuo.  He also modified the voice-leading making it sound more like a Bach composition. The work appears as BWV 508 No. 25 in the Anna Magdalena Notebook No. 2.   Source Only a few remnants of the original opera have survived. Historians speculate that Anna Magdalena got the song from the Leipzig Opera after the bankruptcy of 1720. Chances are good, though, that the tune was a favorite of everyone in Leipzig at the time.   Lyrics When thou art near, I go with joyTo death and to my rest.O how joyous would my end be,If your fair hands            Would close my faithful eyes. - Unknown Bach Overview First of all, Johann Sebastian Bach is maybe the greatest composer in music history. Certainly, he was prolific. As a result, everyone has heard of his works. Furthermore, these works number well over a thousand. It seems like people are probably most familiar with instrumental works such as the Brandenburg Concertos, and the Goldberg Variations. But, similarly famous are such noteworthy works as the Well-Tempered Clavier, the Musical Offering, and certainly the Art of Fugue. Seems like his most famous vocal works include the most noteworthy Mass in B Minor. Also, most noteworthy are the St. John Passion, and indeed the Christmas Oratorio.  History Bach came from a long line of musicians and above all, composers. Consequently, he, first of all, pursued a career as a church organist. So as a result, he gained employment in various Protestant churches in Germany. For a while, he worked as a court musician in Weimar and Köthen. Here he probably developed his organ style and likewise his chamber music style. Eventually, he, therefore, gained an appointment as Cantor of St. Thomas in Leipzig. Here he worked until difficulties with his employer ultimately drove him away. The King of Poland finally appointed him as court composer.  Style It seems like Bach created a fascinating new international style. He synthesized elements of the most noteworthy European music ideas into his new style. Even more, this new style was probably his synthesis of European musical rhythm and form. Furthermore, he demonstrated a complete mastery of counterpoint and motivic development. His sense of harmonic organization probably propelled him to the top. Revival                Mendelssohn conducted a Bach revival in the nineteenth century. His effort probably helped to re-familiarize the public with the magnitude of Bach’s works. During this period, scholars published many noteworthy Bach biographies. Moreover, Wolfgang Schmieder published the BWV (Bach Werke Verzeichnis). As a result, this is now the official catalog of his entire artistic output. The BWV number allows us to locate a work in the catalog. Sometimes scholars will simply use an S (Schmieder) as an abbreviation for BWV.  Voyager NASA launched two Voyager spacecraft in 1977. Onboard are phonograph records with sounds, music, and images of life on Earth. The purpose of the launch was to inform intelligent extraterrestrial life forms about conditions on Earth. The music on the disc is varied. There is Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Stravinsky among others. However, because Bach is so important in our music history, it contains three times more Bach than all the others combined.