'O Lux Beata? ('O Blessed Light') was commissioned by The Fotheringhay Singers (Marius Carney, conductor). The work, a setting of a 4th-century hymn text ascribed to St Ambrose of Milan, contrasts a plainsong style melody over the organ pedals with the rich and lyrical outpouring of larger choral sections. Although challenging in places, the subtle chromaticism and occasional lush close-harmonies …

Arr. James Curnow. Par CHOSTAKOVITCH DIMITRI. Energy for DAYS! As a frenetic encore piece or a joyous sparkler for any place on the program that needs real pep, FOLK DANCES is a great choice! The fascinating shifting harmonies of 20th century music give this one even more breathtaking momentum. This excellent transcription gives your band the thrill of playing Shostakovich at his humorous best. / …

Bach composed his oratorio for the Feast of the Ascension in Leipzig in 1735. Though this work has the duration of a cantata, the choice of text places it among the oratorios. It combines the biblical account of the Ascension with chorales and free madrigal poems.As in other works which were composed during this same year (e.g. the 'Christmas Oratorio?), Bach reveals a special fondness for colourf…

Weihnachtskantate. Par ZECHNER JOHANN GEORG. As the basis for his „Oratorio per il Natale“ Zechner used 4 Verses of the hymn „Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist“ by Johann Rist. He also used some verses by another author. The reason for the reworking of Rist's text was undoubtedly Zechner's idea of writing a dramatic compositon after the model of the Italian cantata, rather than a succession of v…

The Veil of the Temple is a journey from darkness into light. Care and attention has been given to the key chosen for each anthem and to the voicings, so that these versions are attractive to the broadest possible range of amateur as well as professional singers. The breathtakingly simple Mother Of God, here I stand and the quietly ecstatic Awed by the Beauty are for unaccompanied chorus. The r…

Weihnachtskantate. Par ZECHNER JOHANN GEORG. As the basis for his „Oratorio per il Natale“ Zechner used 4 Verses of the hymn „Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist“ by Johann Rist. He also used some verses by another author. The reason for the reworking of Rist's text was undoubtedly Zechner's idea of writing a dramatic compositon after the model of the Italian cantata, rather than a succession of v…

Par TOMS GRAYDON A.. EEEEEEEK! It’s a whimsical excursion into the realm of the mechanical mice! It’s a rodent round-up! It’s a veritable vortex of vagabond voles! Are we to be vexed by vociferous vermin? Let’s find out while we have some fun!Your young band will love playing this one, as well as using their instruments in a creative but non-standard way. The effect of the little clicking critters…

Par PURCELL HENRY. Thomas Adès's four Purcell arrangements, Four Songs, for medium voice and piano are ideal repertoire for recitals. The collection is comprised of two of Purcell’s Tempest songs ‘Come Unto these Yellow Sands’ and ‘Full Fathom Five’, alongside the much-loved ‘An Evening Hymn’ and ‘By Beauteous Softness’. The whole collection lasts around 12 minutes. Adès described Purcell’s manne…

Weihnachtskantate. Par ZECHNER JOHANN GEORG. As the basis for his „Oratorio per il Natale“ Zechner used 4 Verses of the hymn „Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist“ by Johann Rist. He also used some verses by another author. The reason for the reworking of Rist's text was undoubtedly Zechner's idea of writing a dramatic compositon after the model of the Italian cantata, rather than a succession of v…

The Piano Player: Classical Favourites presents 20 of the most popular pieces of classical music, specially arranged for intermediate solo piano. Contents include Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart, Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis by Vaughan Williams and O mio babbino caro by Puccini. The striking cover features Edward Bawden’s colour linocut Aesop’s Fables: Daw in Borrowed Feathers, 1970, and …